As the school year enters its final stretch, spring athletes start their seasons with CIF dreams, new team dynamics, and months of preparation finally turning into competition. 

For new and returning captains, this season brings the responsibility of setting the tone for their teams both on and off the field. Rather than focusing only on results, many captains are prioritizing team culture, communication, and leading by example in practices and games. 

Boys’ Volleyball: 

The Varsity Boys’ Volleyball team enters the season with a major advantage: experience. With most of the roster being returning players, and Giles Beamer (‘26) entering his third year as captain, the team is built on the chemistry they had previously developed on the court. 

Most players also compete together in club volleyball, so they approach this season already understanding each other’s playing styles. Captain Logan Yockey (‘27) explained, “We’re coming this season with a lot of kids that we have been playing together for a while. And we’re just gaining new pieces. We’re getting some freshmen that are really, really good.” 

The team also has a “deeper bench” than in previous years. According to Logan, having multiple strong lineups gives the team flexibility depending on matchups and allows them to stay competitive against top opponents. “We have a lot of potential,” he said excitedly.

Giles Beamer (‘26) described the experience as “It’s a good time. We all like to hang out with each other. I think one of the things that people who come to our games might see. After every point we all come together, and we celebrate it no matter whether we won or lost it.” 

Compared to past seasons, Giles said, “I think we’re all super invested and really into it, which is not something you can necessarily say for our program in previous years.” For the team, Giles said the goal is “to make open divisions and do pretty well there, and I think this is the year that we have the tools and capability to do that.”

Boys’ Tennis:

Captain Tyler Chang (‘26) and Captain Christopher Tao (‘26) lead the team this season. Tyler, who responded on behalf of the captains, said, “In my 4 years on this team, I’ve seen a wide range of team dynamics. I think the biggest quality I see that makes this team different from previous years is how close everyone is.”

With many players returning from last year’s varsity team, the team already has a strong upper hand. The addition of a “few enthusiastic freshmen” has also helped bring new energy to the group while maintaining the strong connections among teammates, Tyler explained. He added, “This makes our team dynamic much more comfortable than in other years. Shoutout butter knife and lil e,” nicknames for Elias Mutlag Odmann (’29) and Evan Chang (‘28).

Although this year is his first season as captain, Tyler said he approaches captainship the same way that he does for any leadership role. “Some things I do are constantly checking in on each player, especially during matches. Whether it’s coaching by guiding our players’ techniques or suggesting a change in strategy, the throughline is consistent communication.”

“For a lot of these players, they might be a little nervous or less vocal,” he added, “It’s our job as captains to make sure their voices are heard and appreciated.”

“I think it’s cliché, but the main goal as a team is to do as well as possible. We have a good shot at getting far in CIFs.” In terms of what to watch out for this season, Tyler said, “Expect a team that is going to entertain and have a lot of fun on the courts. Pull up if you have time!!”

Boys’ Golf: 

“Our team dynamic has been positive,” said Captain TJ Gibbons (‘26), “There’s a good balance between being competitive and having fun.” 

Co-Captain Ronik Gupta (‘27) said leadership for him is not just about being vocal. “I am not saying I am a quiet leader: I am definitely a loud one, but what is more important for me is setting the tone,” he explained. “Showing up every day, working hard, keeping a good attitude even if I play really badly, and making sure everyone feels included.”

TJ emphasized the team’s competitive goals alongside their supportive culture. “I’m hopeful that we continue improving throughout the season and really push each other to compete at a high level,” he said. “I think we have a good chance of making a run at CIF, and hopefully, we dominate our division and move on to regionals.”

Although golf is largely an individual sport, both captains stress the importance of team connection. Ronik noted, “Even the guys who aren’t playing in every single match are still showing up, grinding at practice, and trying to get better. This is what makes this group special, and I think it’s this quality that will make us a very strong and connected team in the future.”

Both captains also credit golf with shaping their personal growth, which they carry into their school and everyday lives. “Golf has taught me patience the most,” said Ronik, “You can hit a bad shot, but you don’t get to sit there and feel bad about it for long, you have to move on to the next one…That’s something I’ve definitely carried into school and life in general. You’re not going to be perfect, but you can control how you respond.”

TJ added, “Golf has taught me patience and discipline. It’s a sport where you have to keep a clear mind under pressure and focus on the next shot instead of dwelling on past mistakes…this has made me mature as a person and become more independent, since a lot of success in golf comes from self-motivation and personal accountability.”

Girls’ Lacrosse: 

For the girls’ lacrosse team, the season revolves around a simple but meaningful motto: trust. Captains Marina da Matta (’26), Joy Xu (’26), Kali Mahone (‘26), Audrey Donnelly (’26), Claire Stallings (’26), and Emerson Davis (’28) say the word represents the kind of environment they want to create both on and off the field.

“We’ve always had such an amazing group of super-connected girls, but this year, we’re really focusing on furthering that connection,” said Marina. 

“Building trust, instilling that within them, so that we can communicate better, is super important. We are approaching it [leadership] with a lot of support and respect, and making sure that it [respect] is reciprocated,” said Joy. 

Building off that, Kali added the importance of “building connections with the younger girls. We have so many freshies, and getting to know them is fundamental to having our program be more successful.” 

The team’s “healthy dynamic” comes from everyone’s love for each other. “We love each other so much. When you get to lacrosse season, we all love being at practice, love being at games, love every moment, and being able to savor that feeling is really nice,” said Kali.

As the team’s only non-senior captain, Emerson said she feels no pressure as captain. “It’s chill. I enjoy it.” She looks forward to beating San Marcos the most this season. 

“Obviously, we want to win, but that’s not our first priority. Our first priority is we want to get them to love this sport, improve on their skills, and make sure they know they can lean on us if they need to. And then from there, we can win,” concluded Joy.  

Boys’ Lacrosse: 

After three consecutive semifinal losses, the Varsity Boys’ Lacrosse captains are focused on one goal: a CIF championship. Captains and Seniors Tom Lowe (‘26), Jackson Ryan (‘26), and Tyler Sepeta (‘26) say this year’s team has the talent and drive to hopefully win that title. 

“I think we have a great group of guys that are super talented, so naturally I am most excited to see how we do and hopeful that we can win a CIF championship,” Tom said. “[I] would love to finally make it to that championship game and get a ring!” 

Team chemistry has been a major factor in their preparation. From offseason lifting and speed training to morning and afternoon practices, the players have grown close both on and off the field. They spend time together outside of lacrosse, whether hanging out at someone’s house or grabbing dinner as a team. 

“This year’s team feels special because we have a whole roster of guys that are hungry,” Tyler said, “I would say that anything less than winning a CIF championship is a failure.”

Jackson said, “This year is definitely the most prepared and motivated team in the past four years…This is the most complete and well-rounded team in the past few years. Everyone on our team knows this and feels some sort of obligation to commit to becoming the best team we can be.” 

Swim: 

This year’s team is led by captain Oliver Baum (‘26), Charlie Ahn (‘26), Kaito Berrios (‘26), and Brandon Agbayani (‘26), and while many team sports rely heavily on constant group practices, swimming operates differently. Athletes often train separately through club teams, water polo, or individual swim programs, which can make building a unified team environment difficult. 

Oliver says that this challenge has become one of the team’s main focuses this season. Instead of concentrating only on times or results early in the year, the captains want to strengthen the team’s overall sense of unity.

Because swimmers often train in different locations, the full team is rarely in the pool at the same time. That makes it an especially important opportunity for the team to show support and build connections.

“In the past, I would say that there wasn’t really a great feeling of togetherness in swimming, and it’s hard to have a coherent team instead of just a bunch of individuals swimming,” Oliver explained.

In terms of goals for the season, Oliver said, “I would say it’s really early in the season to have specific goals related to winning or times and that type of thing. But the one thing that we really can control is effort and togetherness….We want everyone to be cheering on who’s in it [a swim event],” adding, “After we create the feeling of a team that builds each other up, then see where we can take it as we go throughout the swim meet and start actually seeing how fast we are.”

“Obviously, it would be nice to win CIFs, but in the end, I want us to be remembered as a cohesive team that really enjoyed the journey and supported each other along the way,” concluded Oliver.

Baseball: 

The Varsity Baseball team is entering the season with a strong sense of leadership from its senior class. Captain Clyde Kates (‘26) said he looks forward to getting out on the field with the team and getting to work.

“We have a team full of players who genuinely want to compete and improve every day,” said Clyde. “There’s a lot of motivation in our locker room, and I’m excited to see how far that work ethic can take us throughout the season.”

“One thing that sets this team apart is that we’re very senior-led, and our culture is really strong,” Clyde said. “We have a group of older guys who care about the program and want to make sure everyone is on the same page.”

Clyde described that the biggest goal is to keep improving and to play for each other. He added, “If we stay disciplined, work hard, and trust our system, we believe we can have a really successful season.”

In terms of leadership, Clyde believes in holding himself to the same standards as his teammates. “You can’t expect others to do the right things if you’re not doing them yourself. It also means communicating with your teammates, being honest with them, and showing up for your boys every day.”

Clyde concluded, “Leadership isn’t just about talking — it’s about setting the standard and living it.”

Softball:

After winning a CIF championship last season, the Varsity Softball team enters the year with high expectations. Captain Sydney Mafong (‘26) says the team is hoping to repeat that success while adjusting to several changes within the roster. 

“We’re definitely looking to win back-to-back CIF championships,” said Sydney.

However, building team chemistry early will be important because many players are new to the program. “About half the team is returning players and half are new,” Sydney explained. “We hope to bond quickly as a team both on and off the field.”

For Sydney, this year is a returning year as captain. “I’m very excited to return as one [a captain]… To me, leadership means understanding each player, their strengths, their weaknesses, and their needs. One thing I learned in Coach Walton’s Captain’s Course last year is that as a leader, it’s important to understand how to communicate with different players.” 

For Bailey Brightenburg (‘27), this year is her first as captain. “I am new to captaincy this year. I plan to lead the team by leading by example…we take the time to focus on the fundamentals so everyone can continue improving their skill sets,” she said.

Ultimately, Bailey shared her hopes for the team. “I want this team to be remembered as a funny, energetic group of people who also had a strong competitive drive and supported each other throughout the season.”