Caleb Gottry attends Chandler Preparatory Academy and is a member of the AIA’s Student SID program.

On Tuesday, September 22nd, the Chandler Prep Titans hosted region competitors Sequoia Pathway Pumas and won in three sets. Once again, the Titans displayed excellent serving skills, especially in the first set where they served eight aces with only three errors. Chandler Prep lead wire-to-wire in the first set resulting in a 25-7 victory.

The second and third sets followed in similar fashion with the Titans playing more of their bench and winning both sets 25-14. Senior hitter Taylor Dedich attributed Tuesday’s win to a strong passing game:

“I feel like Juliet [Mason] and Abby [Unruh] were very on top of getting all the free balls and random scrappy stuff that they put over the net. They both did a really great job picking up stuff and staying on their toes.”

Prior to the game, the 12 members of the Chandler Prep varsity volleyball team each chose a teacher to honor with a speech and a small gift. Coach Jones spoke on the importance of honoring just a few of the teachers in this way:

“I know that last year was a tough year for teachers, just with how much work and effort they had to put in between online and in-person. So, I think it’s really good that the kids recognize that and wanted to honor their teachers tonight.”

Dedich and homeschool senior setter Alyssa Smith, who had over 20 assists and three aces in the game, took it upon themselves to also honor the people who make athletics happen at Chandler Prep: Athletic Trainer Morgan Leichtenberger and Athletic Director Anthony Jones.

Junior Zoe Yates dominated from the serving line with two seven-point service runs in the match. She honored her Greek teacher, Mrs. Myers, saying, “I appreciate your patience and willingness to answer questions, and I am excited to continue studying Greek this year in your class.”

Senior Alyson Mingus led the team in kills for the match with eight. She honored her Drama teacher, Mr. Blanco, saying, “His enthusiasm about drama makes his class a very fun learning environment.”

As Dedich pointed out, Sophomore Juliet Mason and Freshman Abby Unruh did a great job keeping the ball alive throughout the match. Mason honored her Humane Letters teacher from last year, Mr. Ferbrache, whose class was “a helpful reassurance throughout the course of the year.” Unruh honored her Biology teacher, Ms. Chien, who “makes biology such an interesting and fun class that [she] always looks forward to.”

Junior Lilly Weber honored her Spanish teacher, Señora Kurus, saying, “You are a very motivating and compassionate person and thanks to you, I also know a couple steps of the salsa.”

Senior Samantha Brown honored her Rhetoric teacher, Mr. Metcalf, saying, “The energy and enthusiasm that he demonstrates in his classes each day truly makes a world of difference.”

Junior Ashlyn Unruh and Senior Mia Evers were key for the Titans offense on Tuesday with several kills each. Unruh honored her Physics teacher, Ms. Gallant, whose “class is already one of [her] favorites.” Evers honored her Art teacher, Mrs. Summa, who is “always so understanding to all students and truly cares for all.”

Junior Nadine Spencer-Walters honored her Humane Letters teacher, Mr. King, saying, “You motivated me to try to at least do my best at something even when I didn’t want to at the beginning.”

Senior Emily Curran honored her Senior Thesis advisor, Ms. Caporali, saying, “Even though she wasn’t my bio teacher any more, she never stopped teaching me.”

In this pregame honoring and celebration, the Titans showed how much all of the teachers mean to them and in return, many teachers stayed for the game to cheer Chandler Prep on to their ninth win of the season.

The Titans play their next game on Thursday at home against the Arete Prep Chargers. Titan Up.