Volleyball victory over cross-town rival

Moises Martinez, Writer/ Community Editor

October 18, 2013

With a final score of 25-11, the varsity volleyball girls take the win against Warren on Wednesday, Oct. 8. “It’s always a good feeling to beat our hometown rivals,” Borlongan said.

The Downey’s Girls volleyball team took on Warren on Tuesday, Oct. 8, at the Warren gym, as their second league game of the season. The game, played on Warren’s home turf at 5:30 p.m., proved to be a short match for the Lady Vikes who won in only three game periods.

The gym was packed with attendees who were there to show their support for both sides but also to support the breast cancer awareness theme of the match. Fans and players alike sported their pink shirts and ribbons the whole night. Before the match, team captains Bela Gamboa, 10, and Amy Crowell, 11, expressed their attitudes toward the game.

“We feel so excited because it’s Downey [vs.] Warren,” Crowell said, “ The games are always so big.”

After a loss by JV, the varsity girls took their place on the court and did their warm-up exercises. Soon enough, the first period began with Warren taking the lead. Before the crowd knew it, Downey caught up in a matter of minutes. An 8-point streak led by Bela Gamboa’s court tips and Kimberly Schnars’ spikes brought Downey back into action, ending the first period in a win of 28-26.

As the second period began, the Downey faction of the gym cheered on the girls with ASB leading the chants. Downey triumphed over the Bears again ending with a score of 25-14. The crowd applauded at number 12, junior Kimberly Schnars’ continuous spikes into Warren’s side of the court.

The third period brought another streak for Downey, this time one of ten points. As the game neared its end, the Downey fans unanimously stood and waved one finger in the air reminding the girls they were only one point away from winning the game. The last period culminated with a scoreboard of 25-11 in favor of Downey. Downey’s girls celebrated as supporters crowded them with praises of congratulations. Many lined up to take pictures of the girls as well. Andrea Sims, head coach for Downey’s volleyball team admitted it was a tough victory.

“I’m happy we battled when we were down,” Sims said. “Overall, it was a very emotional win for these girls and I’m very proud of them.”

The night was filled with memorable plays and cheering fans of the girls. Junior Kimberly Schnars, one of the night’s players with the most points scored, gave her thoughts on the match and how it might affect their future games.

About the Contributor

Marianne Aguilar, Photographer/Sports Editor

Marianne Aguilar, one of The Downey Legend’s photographers, is one of the newest members on staff. Aguilar entered her senior year with a determined mindset taking on the responsibilities of being a part of newspaper, as well as Downey High School’s yearbook staff. “Recognition is the best feeling,” Aguilar said. “I like being a part of this school.” Former Downey Legend photographer, Monique Munoz, was the person responsible for pushing Aguilar to apply, “She [Munoz] is like a sister to me, and I would always tag along and help her while she would shoot games,” Aguilar said. “The CIF Football game was insane!” Before Aguilar began living the life of a busy high schooler, the 16 year old grew up witnessing her grandma, Esther, living as a professional photographer, traveling around the world and having her shots featured in underground ads. Although many of her family members constantly reminded her of the potential she had when she held a camera, Aguilar did not wish to explore that field. It was not until her junior year, years after the unfortunate passing of her grandma, that Aguilar began to get behind the camera and understood the enjoyment her loved one felt when photographing. “Once I tried it, my grandma’s daughter would tell me ‘that’s the Esther in you’ and that’s when I realized I liked taking pictures,” Aguilar said. With college right around the corner, this senior hopes to attend Texas Tech University to major in Sports Therapy. Wishing to have a future full of travel, it is clear the timidly kind yet hard worker is persistent in becoming the first in her family to go to college. Eager to begin shooting school events for this year, Aguilar said, “My goal is to have my picture framed in the C building next to my best friends,” in reference to the victory featured in The Downey Patriot Munoz shot after the Vikings won CIF. It is up to Aguilar to decide the kind of mark she will leave on Downey High School’s campus.