As the RCHS boys varsity volleyball team brings an end to its season, team members revisited their past games and achievements.
“What I value most about my team is the family vibe because everyone’s cool with each other,” junior Matthew Binsol said. “I value our connection as teammates and friends.”
On the court, Binsol plays both libero and defensive specialist because he enjoys diving and likes being aggressive.
When initially asked about what the players were looking forward to in their season, the teammates all had high hopes to keep a winning streak and create memories.
“I just hope to make more memories during my last season,” Samuel Son said, one of the two captains. “I hope we can just keep winning.”
Son plays as a setter—a position he didn’t intentionally choose but naturally fell into.
“My teammates were like, ‘Oh, you’re pretty talented in this position,’ so I went with it,” said Son. “I didn’t choose to be a setter—it just kind of happened. My team saw something in me, and I stepped into the role.”
As both captain and setter, Son holds a crucial role in leading his team on and off the court. He controls the flow of the game, making split-second decisions under pressure while setting up plays for his teammates.
Looking ahead at the time, he knew the competition would be tough, especially against Chino Hills, a team known for its experience and strong lineup.
“They have a lot of skilled players, so it’s going to be a battle,” he said. “We’ll have to stay focused and push through.”
On April 1, they played a challenging game against Chino Hills and won with a score of 3-2. However, the second time around, they lost by a score of 3-0.
Binsol also looked forward to playing against other schools in the league, especially the ones where his friends go because he enjoys the competition and the chance to face them on the court.
On March 12, they played a match against Damien High School and won with a score of 3-0, and then on April 8, they won with a score of 3-0 again.
Senior Nathan Moreno emphasized how his intense companionship with his teammates is what he values the most about his team.
“The strong sense of camaraderie and trust we have for one another,” Moreno said. “We all support each other, whether it’s during tough games or outside the sport. It’s that team chemistry that drives us to perform our best.”
Senior Ethan Lee also expressed his admiration and what he loves about his team.
“Most of my teammates are my friends and people I really do value and love,” Lee said. “So making memories and having fun with them and being able to compete during our games.
When asked, Moreno described how excited he was about the growth and improvement the team has shown this season.
“We’ve been working hard, and I’m eager to see how our hard work will translate to on-court success,” Moreno said.
As for competition, Moreno sees Chino Hills as the toughest opponent they’ve faced, acknowledging their strong reputation and the intensity they bring to every match and while their team recognizes Chino Hills as hard to beat.
Playing as a libero, Moreno takes pride in his role as the backbone of the team.
“I enjoy being the backbone of the team and getting every opportunity I can for my team to score,” Moreno said. “It requires a lot of focus, quick reflexes, and communication, which are skills I enjoy developing.”
Overall, the team feels that they had played a tough season. Their final standings are 19-14 wins and losses, coming up fifth in the league. Their state ranking is 319 while their national ranking stands at 984.
