Sports
Lighthouse SEALs
Eden Garcia racked up points all over the court to help LCA hurdle Highland Hall Thursday. Team support boosted her confidence.
By Michael Ashcraft --
In the morning, Navy SEAL Gregg Washington talked to Lighthouse Christian Academy kids about teamwork.
In the afternoon, LCA volleyball girls were putting it into practice.
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"My teammates encourage me even when I don't feel like trying or playing my best or when I don't feel like going to practice, they always encourage me," Eden Garcia said. "It's nice to have a team that has a lot of encouragement for you."
It was no garden variety win. It was a Garden of Eden variety win.
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"My name means I'm a blessing," Eden says.
Eden spread the blessing around the court on Thursday against Northridge Highland Hall. Of blessed 13 serves, 3 were blessed aces. She had 10 blessed assists and 2 blessed kills.
In the final of three sets, Eden was slotted into setter as a possible replacement for Shayla Papik, who graduates this year.
The Saints coasted to victory 25-4, 25-18, 21-6 in a last game shortened to by time constraints.
"Eden is a talented player: a great passer, server, hitter. She can block, set, everything really," says Coach Jessica Young.
"I enjoy playing this girls," Eden says.
She enjoyed playing with the girls because they act like a team. They accept everyone and encourage everybody to aspire to their greatest potential.
Just like motivational speaker Gregg Washington said at assembly in the morning. The former Navy SEAL talked about his experiences in BUD/S.
As BUD/S swam endlessly one day, the instructor was picking on Washington, walking back and forth following him on the side as he swam.
"We're not done until Washington quits," he said.
Washington didn't wish ring out of the intense training.
But he also didn't want to be the reason his fellow students were suffering.
As the endless laps dragged on, the instructor was unrelenting.
Eventually, Washington heard, with every time his ear came out of the water, what his fellow students were saying:
"We'll swim forever."
It was act of defiance against the instructors. It was a show of solidarity with their targeted teammate.
They stood by him, even to their own detriment.
The LCA student body listened to the inspiring story during Bible class at 9:00 a.m.
Then, they put it in practice on the court at 2:30 p.m.
Related content: Hypersonic hits against Beacon Hill, Thunderous debut vs. Gorman Learning Center.
About this writer: Michael Ashcraft teaches journalism and writing at the Lighthouse Christian Academy of Santa Monica.
