After losing to Ventura in CIF Semifinals, the Oak Park High School girls volleyball team is moving on to the state tournament. Even though they suffered a four set loss, they still qualified due to their progress in the CIF tournament.

“Honestly, qualifying for state feels like stepping into a new chapter,” senior captain Athena Trewyn said. “I’m just excited to show what we’ve got and have fun out there since we’ve made it this far.”

The first round of the tournament will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 11. 

“I think we improved on trusting each other over anything else,” junior Ashleigh Ross said. “Prior seasons have been tough for Oak Park for various reasons. This season, at the start, everyone was talented by themselves, but building that trust showed how well we could all fit together.”

This year, the team is a lot more competitive than in prior years.

“This was my first year that I felt true competitiveness with all of us,” junior Samantha Liba said. “The drive to continue to fight was amazing and we will continue to fight.”

The team is very determined to win. 

“We say we have nothing to lose but everything to gain,” Liba said. 

The team will have a coin toss on Sunday, Nov. 9 to determine where they will be seeded in the bracket. Their next game will be on Tuesday, Nov. 11.