Schools
Riley rises again
Riley rallied to lift the LCA over the Newbury Park Adventist Academy Gators in girls volleyball.
By Michael Ashcraft --
Three times in just one play, Riley rose to spike the ball on a Gator hunt Thursday as Lighthouse beat Newbury Park Adventist Academy.
The fact that she's the shortest player of the Saints (at 5'2") did nothing to slow her as she rained down a hailstorm of balls on the hapless Gators.
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Rising up above her "limitations" has been what she's always done in life.
"I've had to overcome a lot of things in life," said Riley Gonzalez. "My mom died. Me and my siblings, we all overcame it. We're striving. That happened. I have to put it in the past. I'm doing good stuff now. It's been a few years since that happened."
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It's no surprise then that Riley, only a freshman, stood up tall among the seniors of the Saints volleyball.
"Riley stood out," said Coach Jessica Young. "She's a great player. She wants it really bad. She jumps three feet, two-and-a-half. Riley is fiery."
Lighthouse Christian Academy defeated the Newbury Park Gators 25-15, 25-20, and 25 17. Firepower mainstay Dahlia Gonzalez took a back seat to allow junior players get action. Her sister Riley stepped up.
Sport is one way Lighthouse helps kids learn to be victors, not victims.
"Riley's character has improved," Coach Jessica said. "On court frustrations, she resolves them. She doesn't lock down and push everyone away. She doesn't pout and walk off rudely. Her attitude and demeanor are a huge part of our success."
Liyat Belay stepped in to whip some winning serves over in Game 3. Second-stringer Keziah Mendez came on and delivered dependability.
"The whole team got to play," remarked Coach Jessica. "It was a very unifying game. The players were cheering from the bench."
Sophomore Shaya Papik showed how effortlessly she racks up 13 kills. Senior setter Allie Scribner remained the team's motor, squaring up scores of hits for the secondary strikers. Abigail Aguilar, junior, went on again to learn the mechanics of movement in play.
Read more about LCA volleyball: the Jill Chills (Game 1). Sharp shooter Shayla (Game 2), No return policy (Game 3) , Abigail is Elsa (Game 4), God Balls (Game 5).
About this reporter: Michael Ashcraft teaches journalism at the Lighthouse Christian Academy of Santa Monica.
