A young Eagles team grows in trust, confidence, and faith during Coach Roland Tarja’s first season.
With a new head coach, a new combination of players, and three freshmen in the starting lineup, Rancho Christian Women’s Volleyball entered the 2026 season with plenty to learn together.
By season’s end, the Eagles had reached their goal of making the playoffs and developed the trust, discipline, and confidence Head Coach Roland Tarja hoped to see.
Rancho finished 9–12 overall and 6–4 in league, placing third. The season ended with a closely contested, five-set loss to Santa Fe in the CIF Southern Section Division 6 playoffs.
For Tarja, the progress behind those results made his first season leading the Eagles a meaningful step forward.
“We had a slow start, but we worked hard, improved every game, and became a stronger team,” he said. “I’m proud that we stayed focused and reached our goal of making the playoffs.”
Learning to Play Together
One of the team’s biggest challenges was bringing together athletes with different backgrounds and styles of play. Learning to follow the same expectations, communicate, and work toward a shared goal took time.
Tarja saw the players become more united as the season progressed. They learned to trust one another and respond to difficult moments with continued effort.
“What made this team special was our hard work and determination,” he said. “Even when things were difficult, the players never gave up.”
Competing against strong opponents also helped the Eagles understand their strengths and develop their style of play. Tarja emphasized that every player contributed to that process through hard work, teamwork, and a positive attitude.
Wins That Built Confidence
Tarja pointed to road victories over Valley View and Paloma Valley as defining moments. Rancho swept Valley View in three sets and earned a five-set win at Paloma Valley, an opponent he identified as a key competitor for a playoff spot.
Those wins gave the players confidence that their work was making a difference. They also provided experience competing together in matches with meaningful consequences for the season.
Young players made substantial contributions. MaxPreps’ reported statistics include 141 kills and 38 serving aces for freshman Veronica Calderon, 329 assists for freshman Shelly Mendoza, and 134 digs for freshman Alaina Aguirre. Junior Jayla Brown recorded 10 total blocks. Those numbers reflect the statistics entered on MaxPreps rather than a verified complete-season total.
Support That Made a Difference
Tarja credited the people around the program with helping him focus on the players during his first year at Rancho.
Athletic Director Waheed Mitchell created a healthy environment for a new head coach, providing steady leadership and support that eased the pressure of the transition.
Assistant Coach Caitlyn Bato, who also serves as Associate Athletic Director and Middle School Athletic Director, helped manage parent communication, scheduling, and other administrative needs. Her work allowed Tarja and Assistant Coach Marsela to concentrate on coaching and helping players improve on the court.
That partnership gave the team support both during competition and in the preparation that made each match possible.
Tarja also expressed appreciation for senior MacKenzie Duguid’s hard work, commitment, and leadership. He credited her with helping the team grow and wished her success in volleyball and in life.
Faith and the Work Ahead
Throughout the season, faith helped shape how the Eagles treated one another and responded to wins and losses.
Tarja emphasized respect, humility, and supporting teammates. He wants players to leave the program with stronger character and lessons they can carry beyond volleyball.
“For us, volleyball is not only about winning games,” he said. “It is also about building good character, learning important life lessons, and becoming better people on and off the court.”
With three freshmen gaining experience in the starting lineup, Tarja sees a foundation the program can continue to build upon. He identified Rancho’s Sports Academy as an important opportunity for players to develop their volleyball skills and physical strength throughout the year.
His message to returning players is to keep working, stay disciplined, believe in themselves, and support their teammates.
The Eagles reached an important goal this fall. Their next step is to carry the trust and habits they developed into the work ahead.