The Granada Hills Charter (GHC) varsity girls volleyball team kicked off the 2025-26 season strong, despite a year of significant transition. With the arrival of new head coach, Donaldo Morales, who brings club-volleyball experience and a fresh training philosophy, the team is navigating change while building momentum.
Coach Morales has implemented new conditioning protocols and movement drills designed to elevate the team’s athleticism and court awareness.
“The conditioning coach Donaldo increased our stamina and also improved our strengths,” junior Lucinda Mitchell said.
The current record of 22-16 overall and 6-4 in league play underscores a season fo ups and downs, but one marked by resilience and growth.
“We have been able to bond more over the losses,” junior Chloe Leon said. “We’re able to rely on our new coach to help us get us through that.”
The beginning of a season always challenges student-athletes as they juggle academics and new teachers as well as practice schedules and games. For the Highlanders, the addition of a new coach meant adapting not just to new plays but a new culture. The rigorous conditioning and heightened pace pushed the team to step out of their comfort zone.
Last year’s success left the players hungry to go even further, and this season is proving that the Highlanders are ready to build on that momentum.
With several seniors in pivotal roles, the program’s continuity stayed enact even as the coaching staff changed, however.
“I have loved watching the team change the past four years since every team has played differently than the last, and each season progressed so differently then the other,” senior Alexis Cuan said.
It is an especially emotional conclusion of the season for those seniors as they approach the end of their time with the Highlander volleyball team.
“After being on the team for four years I feel very grateful and lucky that I was given this opportunity to play for Granada and make amazing new friends,” senior Ella Arazam said. “It made me fall in love with the game and build my confidence. ”
Although the record sits at 22-16, the Highlanders are setting the stage for even greater success. The new training emphasis gives the team the physical foundation to compete at a higher level. They’re eyeing a deeper run in the CIF Los Angeles City Section playoffs this week and aiming to improve their league standing at the end of the season.