On Tuesday, September 12th at 7:30pm, hundreds of fans, Irish and Wildcats alike, gathered in the USF War Memorial Gym for the game of the season: the Bruce Mahoney. With SHC and Saint Ignatious harboring one of the most contentious high school rivalries in San Francisco, the Bruce Mahoney series offers a unique opportunity for students to cheer on their peers in a highly competitive environment.
SHC Girls’ Volleyball was added to the trophy in 2021 along with Girls’ Basketball, and this year, fans flocked to the gym to attend the sold out game. Since its inaugural year, anticipation for the game has only grown, with students excited to see their Lady Irish kill it on the court. Maile Sanchez ‘24 comments: “I am glad that we included women in the trophy — it is important to have representation in sports, and win or lose, the women’s volleyball team is so talented!” Representation for female athletes is essential to an equal playing field, and the decision to include women’s athletics in the Bruce Mahoney trophy only added to the significance of the series. It brings relatability to the trophy, so everyone can feel a little more connected to the games. Henry Ades ‘24 agrees that “representation is what this is all about, so I love showing my support for girls’ sports!”
Though the fans bring a certain level of excitement, the game would be nowhere without its players. Throughout the season, the volleyball team attends tournaments, plays other schools, and practices daily. Many also play on various club teams across the Bay. The dedication this team has for their sport is awe-inspiring, and reveals the team’s grit and readiness for the Wildcat standoff.
For the players themselves, a wide range of experiences met them on September 12th. As Sofie Daters ‘25 notes, “It is the first Bruce Mahoney I’ve played in — I was a little nervous but I knew it would be so fun because we have such a supportive team.” A good team is not just one that plays well on the court – it is one that lifts each other up, as our Fighting Irish Girls’ Volleyball clearly does.
Lydia Valle-Jhanda ‘24, co-team captain, recognizes her experience in this competition: “It is very special to me because I played in the first girls’ Bruce Mahoney game, and I’ve seen how it has progressed.” The current classes at SHC are experiencing a monumental shift in the Bruce Mahoney trophy, and the five game adaptation will only cause more anticipation for fans. Valle-Jhanda adds, “it’s special for the community as a whole because it has become a great way to show off female athletes and the amazing culture of the volleyball team that people aren’t exposed to easily.” With publicity often surrounding male fall sports like football, Girls’ volleyball hopes to bridge the gap, bringing more attention to their skills on the court.
Though the Irish lost to SI in a thrilling 5 game set, with a final set score of 12-15, the team showed their prowess, and that they are a force to be reckoned with. The Emerald can’t wait to see where Girls’ Volleyball will go with their season, and how female sports representation will grow over the course of the year! Go support your Lady Irish!
