In a season overshadowed by doubt due to a worldwide pandemic, Coach Alexis Saulog’s 12 and under volleyball team found the light at the end of the tunnel.

Alexis 12U made history on June 27th when they became the first Eastlake Starlings squad to win a Starlings National Championship, defeating a tough team from Central Valley 25-17, 15-25, 15-6.  The win marked the second championship in the month of June for Alexis 12U, as they took down the Starlings 12U San Diego County Championship just two weeks earlier.  They finished the National Championships 5-1, the only blemish on their record was an earlier loss suffered at the hands of the team they defeated in the final, Central Valley.

“After the last point was scored, I had mixed emotions,” said a tearful Saulog, “I was thrilled we had made history for Eastlake Starlings, but I also felt sad because I knew it meant that it was the last point of the season with my girls.”

In the Bronze 16 and under bracket, Coach Rocco’s 16U defeated a stubborn team from SD Navajo 25-22, 24-26, 15-7.  It was the second straight three set match for Rocco 16U, as they had to overcome an upset-minded Eastlake Emily 16U team, 14-25, 25-14, 18-16 in the semis.

“Today was just a battle”, said the coach after the win, “But my players showed a lot grit, toughness and a lot of heart.  They played their best match of the season at the right time.”

Other Eastlake Starlings results at the 2021 Starlings National Championships:

Aysa 12U – 2nd in Silver Division, 6th overall

Jez 12U – 3rd in Silver Division,  7th overall

Ron 14U – 4th in Gold Division, 4th overall

Nat 14U – 3rd in Bronze, 11th overall

Alyssa 14u – 2nd in Bronze, 10th overall

Montse 14U – 2nd in Copper, 14th overall

Emily 16U – 3rd in Bronze, 11th overall