Viking’s women’s volleyball put up a fight this year as they pushed through a tough season filled with adversity, and ended their season with a record of 2-10 in conference and 3-16 overall.
The team averaged 9.46 kills per set and 12.7 points per set in conference this season. They ended with a total of 388 kills and 50 service aces.
In past years, the Vikings have had a winning women’s volleyball program and have generally been a strong team to compete against.
This year the team was set to face several different struggles, from losing players to injuries and losing players due to academic ineligibility.
“As a coach and as a program we dealt with a lot of adversity, and it showed just with our record,” head coach Tyler Jackson said.
Although there were not many highlights for the Vikings this year, they were able to defeat Pasadena, who was ranked 13th in state, which was a big accomplishment for the women.
Freshman Danika Iosua was one of the stand out players this season for the Vikings, being one of the few expected to always play on the court.
“She’s only about 5 ‘7” but she plays like she’s 6’. She really was the glue for our team this year.” Jackson said.
Sophomore Caleyse Saunders was another strong player for the Vikings but was unfortunately injured mid season, causing her to miss a few games.
“She was out for several games which made it hard on us, but then she returned back for the last couple matches and it really made all the difference.” Jackson said.
Iosua and Saunders were both named second team all conference.
The entire indoor lineup will be coming out for the beach volleyball season in the spring of 2023 including most of those who were injured or ineligible.
“As many can say, it’s not the record we wished for, but I know each and every one of my girls is so talented in their own ways and worked hard no matter the outcome. I know we will use this past seasons record as motivation to build, grow and prepare for the next season.” Iosua said.
The Vikings are hoping to build a stronger program in the upcoming beach season that can carry over for the next indoor season.
“We have several transfer athletes that just love our program, love our school and our community and have been super interested in wanting to join us,” Jackson said. “I think it says a lot for having such a hard season and losing indoors, but to still have such a huge amount of interest from other athletes from different programs. I think it also says a lot about what we’re building here at Long Beach City.”