Co-Captain and Student Body Co-President of Andover, Saraya Angbazo ’25 began her volleyball journey during the seventh grade. After watching various volleyball games with her friends at her local high school, she loved the energetic nature of the game and became inspired to pursue the sport.
According to Angbazo, her favorite aspect of volleyball stems from the excitement and chemistry she experiences with her teammates on the court. Angbazo continues to emphasize how her love for volleyball does not arise from the satisfaction of hitting lines or hitting cool passes, rather with excellent team chemistry.
Angbazo said,“It’s just when everyone on the court is in sync and everyone just has the same goal of winning and having fun and staying positive and everyone’s on that same page. That’s when you can really feel it. It’s not physical, but you can just feel the excitement and the fun and the joy that everyone is sharing. When that comes alive, that is when you know we’re playing high-level volleyball.”
As a Co-Captain, Angbazo highlights her responsibility to be mindful of individual perspectives.
Angbazo said, “Being able to really feel what other people are feeling and act as if and actually know what it feels like to be in their shoes, I think that’s really important when you’re trying to lead an entire team, or an entire school. So that is something that’s universal across the board.”
Selene Xu ’27 recognized Angbazo’s encouraging nature and charisma while maintaining a strong feedback loop. Xu noted how Angabazo promotes positive team culture by being inclusive and kind to everyone on the team.
“Especially last year, I was her pepper partner and I think she was really encouraging and she would always ask for feedback and give feedback, which I really like. Also I think she just motivates the team a lot and encourages everyone and she’s always so hyped for practice and games and always ready to go,” said Xu.
Commenting on her strong relationship with Co-Captain Sophie Holten ’25, Angbazo believes that the pair complement each other’s energies. Having been friends and teammates for the past three years, Angbazo emphasizes how she plans to exemplify communication and strong relationships within the team.
“In volleyball, having lots of energy and talking to the court is super important. So we just wanted to express this love and this close friendship that I truly cherish that this team, the PAVB team, has given me. We want to share that with everyone else and all the new people,” said Angbazo.
On the court, Angbazo is a persistent player, noted Gracie Aziabor ’26. Aziabor emphasizes Angbazo’s aggressive playing style on the court.
Aziabor said, “She just kind of adapts to it and finds another way to get the ball down on their side of the court, so I really admire that. She’s very unfazed by what the other team has, and she just continuously plays very aggressively.”
Angbazo hopes to play volleyball in college at whatever capacity and is enthusiastic about her returning to cheer on PAVB in the upcoming season.
“I definitely will be taking my love of volleyball to college. I’ll be playing with friends that I meet or joining clubs. But volleyball at PA will always hold a super special spot in my heart. So I’m really excited. After I graduate, after I return my jersey for the last time, I’m super excited to come back for games throughout next fall and to support my teammates,” said Angbazo.
Editor’s Note: Gracie Aziabor is an Associate Layout Editor for The Phillipian.
