Tubman’s 2019 girl’s volleyball team had a very successful season. This year, we were placed in A Division with the San Diego YMCA’s MSPAL League. The league had over 20 competitive schools from around San Diego County. This included both charter and traditional middle schools. 

The girl’s volleyball team practiced on average four to five days a week after school and even attended the SDSU women’s volleyball game as a team. With hard work and dedication, our girl’s volleyball team were able to go undefeated this season winning nine straight games!

In the playoffs, Tubman was able to win the semifinal match against Albert Einstein Academy. Led by seventh-graders Lyric McKinney and Miah Cardenas, the Lady Tigers overpowered Albert Einstein Academy, making quick work of them in two straight sets. 

Then, in the championship game versus Monarch School, the Lady Tigers were pushed all the way until the end of the match. The match lasted three sets, with the Lady Tigers winning 2 out of the 3 sets to capture the championship. The final score in the championship set versus Monarch was 25-8. Again, led by Lyric McKinney (five aces and four kills) and Miah Cardenas (four kills and six digs), these outstanding performers made this dream of going undefeated a reality. 

“They really executed all season and I am so proud of our team for coming together and synergizing on and off the court,” said head coach Venessa Martinez. 

Not only did the team succeed athletically, but the Lady Tigers were able to maintain above a 3.0 GPA all season. The girl’s volleyball team demonstrated true leadership on the court and in the classroom. We are all so very proud of them! 

—Ryan Woodard is principal of Harriet Tubman Village Charter School.