The End of Fall Sports

A Farewell to Soccer and Volleyball

To close out the soccer and volleyball season, the Union Warriors were able to participate in the NCCAA Central Region tournament. Both teams fought hard in each game they participated in. The men’s soccer team played on November 4th and 6th while the women’s volleyball team played on the 7th. 

The volleyball team played hard and put in their best effort. Our Warriors won some tough rallies and had some near impossible saves. At the last minute, Ireland Anthony was unable to play so Jovanna Malonado, a freshman on the team, stepped up to the plate and took Ireland’s spot in the rotation. The first set was close with a score of 15-25. However, as the match wore on, the gap between the scores grew and Calvary pulled ahead, winning all three sets. 

Emma Bermeo, a junior and a team captain, said this as she reflected on this game and past season: "This season taught all of us lots of flexibility, and our last game was no different to that. We had some last minute changes to our rotation, but we still played with passion and had lots of fun. The team this year made the season, everyone was positive and so much fun! I love all the girls and am so glad that we were able to play together this year." 

Our soccer team was not expected to win their game on the 4th. Despite the odds and the cloudy and rainy weather, our Warriors pulled through with a win of 2-1. Dominick Maldonado scored the first goal and Javier Gadea-Sanchez the second, both scoring just before the end of the first half. Victorious and proving to the other team that they would not be trifled with, the boys prepared for their next game against Barclay College. The boys put up a good fight, but this match did not turn out as they hoped with the final score of 1-7. 

Rene Adrian-Gaus, a sophomore nursing major, shared some thoughts of the last game and the end of the season. “The team as a whole showed remarkable determination in spite of the difficult defeat in the semifinal game losing to Barclay. Though the hurt of losing lingers, the team's development and bonding during the season gives us hope for the future and to be in the same tournament again next year and do better. All in all, the season was a great year to rebuild and move on to the next, and we are looking forward to new faces and talent that can come in the next season.”

Thank you for supporting the soccer and volleyball teams this season! We hope to see you on the court and field next fall.

by Sami Hoffer