Miss Patience

By Michael Ashcraft --

For most of the season, Sophia Aguilar didn't play much. She came faithfully to practice and games. Most of the time, she cheered on her teammates.

On Tuesday, Sophia was put in Game 3. She got a kill and finished the game off with four serves for the victory.

"The coaches have given me a chance to prove myself, and I'm trying to prove myself during practice," Sophia says. "I know that I don't get put in a lot. But I continue to have a good attitude and encourage them as well. She gave me a chance that I could do it.

"I'm just excited to be encouraging the girls, so that's why I'm patient."

Sophia lives near her cousin, Eden Garcia, in Compton, an hour from the Lighthouse Christian Academy. From Newbury Park, it is about a 750 kabillion-hour commute. Nevertheless, her parents don't miss a game, even when she doesn't get put in. They are super fans and super encouraging to their daughter.

Lighthouse defeated the Gators comfortably 25-15, 25-18, 25-17.

Thinking about, we might understand the problem here. Gators are not known to jump.

Jillian Jenkins, per usual, was decisive, smacking down balls and tips for mega points. Setter Shayla Papik was the driving force behind the team, and libero Riley Gonzalez was up to her usual mind-boggling blind, radar-directed sets from across the court with her back to the hitter.

Eden was smashing serves, and Karine Keyser was making blocks. Lucy Young troubled the Gators with hits in the 10-foot line cross court.

In league, the Saints are undefeated. They have lost games in friendlies and in tournaments however.

About this writer: Michael Ashcraft teaches writing and journalism at the Lighthouse Christian Academy of Santa Monica.