The Girls Volleyball Team went very far this season, winning two of their playoff games in addition to all of their regular season games. Cai Racpan was the setter for the team and played this position for the past two years. Coach Eleni Stellatos described Cai as a “truly remarkable student-athlete whose dedication to the sport and team is commendable. As a player, Cai thinks strategically and is always determined to improve. Cai’s infectious energy fuels the team’s dynamics.” Other team members similarly view Cai as a great person and player, dedicated to the sport and maintaining a good relationship with the team.
Q: How do you feel the season is going?
A: I think the season is going great, this year we went 10-0 in our regular season games and we won 2 of our playoff games so far but I don’t know about the next one that’s coming. But that’s okay because we went farther than last year.
Q: Can you describe the culture and vibe of the QSI Volleyball team?
A: I think the QSI Volleyball team is very welcoming because the freshmen on the team, I feel like they just came and fit right in. I don’t think we judge anyone for being new and I think that no matter what your skill level is, you’ll still be welcomed as part of the team.
Q: Did you feel that when you joined the team?
A: Yeah, because last year was our first year since Covid so we felt that we should have a good foundation to start it off and be welcoming to everyone.
Q: How do you feel the relationship between the team affects your performance?
A: We’re all very connected, especially the starters, since all the starters played on the team last year. So we kind of have this vibe between all of us already. We’re also a smaller school so we have to be more connected to each other. The other schools we go against, I don’t think they’re as close as we are since they’re part of a bigger school. So our connection helps us win!
Q: You’ve been playing for the team for two years now, how do you think this season differs from last year?
A: I think this year is a lot better than last year. Not just because of the scores but because the people that were on the team last year got more experience. Last year was also, like I said before, right after Covid. So we were all getting right back into playing.
Q: How do you balance school and being a PSAL athlete?
A: I think it’s hard to balance it, with college classes it’s always like 100 pages to read each week and write an essay every two weeks. So yeah, it’s really hard. I won’t lie about that. But I think it helps to take time out of your day to focus on school since it does come first.
Q: What goals or aspirations do you have for the Volleyball team?
A: I just hope we do as well next year as we did this year!
