In a brisk morning ceremony that would make any school's trophy case envious, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn tipped her hat to the Artesia High School Varsity Girls Volleyball Team, now the celebrated CIF-Southern Section Division 8 Volleyball Champions. According to an official release from Hahn's office, this recognition was not just for the team's noteworthy three-set sweep in the final game, but also for earning the school's first-ever championship title in this category.
The team, proudly donning their school's colors of red and black, gathered at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration for this acknowledgments. Hahn expressed her enthusiasm for student athletes who excel beyond their academic endeavors, particularly the girls' sports teams. "I always love honoring extraordinary student athletes who give the best of themselves not only in the classroom but on the court as well. I particularly love it when our girls’ sports teams really excel, as this one has," Hahn said, as per a statement procured by the event's press release. Each team member was bestowed with a certificate of recognition, while head coach Francisco Serrano and coaches Jose and Juan Serrano received official County scrolls.
The stage was shared with key personas including Artesia High's principal Sergio Garcia, alongside representatives from the ABC Unified School District. It was noted for its atmosphere of pride and community celebration, acknowledging the athletes' dedication and grit which propelled them beyond the challenges of facing more recognized, traditionally dominant teams.
Team captain Djulianne Goze, also CIF Division 8 Player of the Year, conveyed the team's underdog spirit. "We faced teams that were bigger, faster, more recognized but we never let it define us. Every practice, every match we came hungry, determined and fighting for every point," Goze elucidated during the presentation, in remarks echoed by the county's announcement. "This championship was a historic moment for Artesia, the first CIF title for our volleyball program ever, and being a part of that moment means everything to us. It is proof that our belief and commitment can turn dreams into reality." With this, the Pioneers have not just netted a trophy, but also an enduring legacy for their school.
