“Winning isn’t everything, but wanting to win is.”

This quote perfectly sums up what the El Camino men’s volleyball team were about on this 2014 season.

Having ended in first place, as well as ending a drought of over a decade by clenching the Conference title, the Warriors saw their season end as they lost against a strong Santa Monica side in the semifinal, on Wednesday night.

“It was a great run, I’m proud of all of them,” Coach Dick Blount said. “I told them I wouldn’t trade them for any kid I’ve seen all year.”

Despite having lost the game 3-0, the Warriors can leave with their heads up high, because against all odds, they proved their worth and were a top contending team.

“It was fun playing with the team. We really didn’t expect to get that far,” sophomore Errol Basconcillo said. “We love volleyball, and that’s what we played.”

More than just playing volleyball, the team showed unity, which resulted in only one lose throughout the whole season.

“The team is great, I couldn’t have asked for a better group of guys. Everybody was dedicated, and everybody wanted to be there,” sophomore and captain Roy Powell said. “It’s bittersweet to see them go.”

Most of the starting team consisted of sophomore players who will not play next year, but who without a doubt injected the same will to win in the freshmen players.

‘I see promise, I see a lot of heart, I see a lot of dedication,” Powell added.

It was playing with heart, and staying dedicated that made it a promising season for the Warriors, and despite the lose, friends and family were proud of the team.

It was friends and family who congratulated the players and coaches after Wednesday nights game; the team’s heart and dedication was evident to everyone.

It was a hell of a season for the men’s volleyball team,

“It was really fun paying with the team, I didn’t really care about the wins and loses,” Basconcillo said. “All I cared about was just playing with this team and playing volleyball.”

“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else besides here,” Powell said. “They [the team] helped me to develop into the player I am today, so I’m grateful, and I couldn’t be happier.”