EL MONTE – The South El Monte High School Lady Eagles volleyball team made history when it captured its first-ever CIF-Southern Section (CIF-SS) Div. 9 championship, defeating Nogales High School in a nail-biting five-set thriller on Nov. 8.

The championship provided a memorable sendoff for a tight-knit coterie of seniors who came close to a title in 2024, and a homecoming for coach and South El Monte physical education teacher Kristina Puckett, who returned to lead the team after a yearslong hiatus.

“This championship is all about the players,” Puckett said. “They welcomed me with open arms to begin the season; they were open to new ideas and trusted each other. The chemistry on the team is amazing. It really is a family, full of support. I wish I had more time with the seniors. This is a special group.”

The CIF finals epitomized the Lady Eagle’s resilience, spirit, and mental toughness. After falling behind two sets to one, South El Monte dug deep to tie the match, battling a tough Nogales squad through a fifth set that was tied 12-12 when senior Zaira Garcia made back-to-back kills to set up match point. Then, the celebration began. Garcia was named the San Gabriel Valley Tribune Girls Athlete of the Week on Nov. 11.

Garcia is one of five seniors who helped lead South El Monte to the CIF-SS Div. 9 semifinals in 2024, alongside Laura Hui and co-captains Annett Cervantes, Daniella Ceballos, and Daniela Galvan. Buoyed by their success, and inspired by a new coach, the Lady Eagles were on a roll until a midseason slump saw them drop four straight matches. Thanks to its strong leadership, the team’s bond never wavered, and South El Monte went on a long winning streak, culminating in the championship.

“Winning CIF means so much to us. It’s an amazing accomplishment,” Cervantes said. “I’ve been on the varsity team since my freshman year and have formed such a tight bond with my teammates. All these years, it seemed impossible to achieve a championship, but when that final whistle blew and we realized we had won it all, it was like a movie.”

During the offseason, Ceballos worked on changing her mentality and focusing on the little things that can win games.

“It was a different learning experience for me this year. I used to be more nervous, but I decided I could be a better captain if I calmed down,” Ceballos said. “What I like the best about winning is the peace of mind. We don’t have to prove ourselves to anyone anymore.”

The Lady Eagle players and coaching staff also gained extra support thanks to the South El Monte boys volleyball team. Coach Puckett, who heads both programs, brought the boys into practice to foster teamwork and strengthen ties across the program.

“This team is special because we’re truly friends on and off the court. The bond we share this year feels different than other years,” Galvan said. “We all get along, and that really builds our trust. Coach Puckett has helped us gain so much with our confidence. She always makes time for us and checks in when we need it.”

Puckett came to South El Monte in 2009 and has coached the boys for the last three years, having previously led the girls volleyball team for a decade before stepping away from coaching to start a family. After the previous girls volleyball coach left the program after the 2024-25 school year, Puckett was persuaded to return to lead the Lady Eagles.

“I love watching our players grow,” Puckett said. “This team is eager to learn and can’t get enough volleyball. Whenever we can, we study higher-level programs and attend games — we even went to the UCLA–Nebraska match recently. Nebraska is the top team in the country, and many of our players are fans. Experiences like that make this group especially fun to coach.”

With one title under their belt, South El Monte looked to keep their hot streak going during the CIF State Girls Volleyball Div. 5 championships. After a thrilling first-round win against Foothill Tech High School, the Lady Eagles fell to Morro Bay High in second round, bringing the magic season to a close.

“We are so proud of our Lady Eagles for bringing a CIF championship to South El Monte,” SEMHS Principal Dr. Jorge Morales said. “Congratulations to Kristina Puckett and our amazing girls for this outstanding achievement. We hope this victory by the volleyball program inspires all of our students in the classroom and in other school activities to stay positive, work hard, and never give up on their dreams.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

EMUHSD_SEMHS VOLLEYBALL_1: South El Monte High School’s Lady Eagles volleyball team celebrates its first-ever CIF-SS Div. 9 championship after defeating Nogales High School in a five-set thriller on Nov. 8.

EMUHSD_SEMHS VOLLEYBALL_2: South El Monte High School Lady Eagles volleyball team seniors (clockwise from top left) Zaira Garcia, Daniella Ceballos, Daniela Galvan, Laura Hui, and Annett Cervantes celebrate the team’s first-ever CIF-SS Div. 9 championship after defeating Nogales High School in five sets on Nov. 8.