On October 8, Ayala’s Varsity Girls Volleyball team, which had been the #151 girls high school team, won their rematch against Diamond Bar’s girls volleyball team, the #99 team. After previously losing 2-3 during their first game against the Brahmas, the Bulldog’s rematch score of 3-1 was not only unexpected, but brought attention to the team’s sudden improvement as they drew closer to the end of their league season. This has led many to wonder about the leadership which has guided the volleyball team to improve.

This position belongs to none other than one of Ayala’s own English 11 teachers, Coach Dina Argumosa.

“My initial impression of Argumosa is that she’s very intimidating. [That has] changed throughout the season because I learned that she’s not as scary once you get to know her,” said Varsity setter Miki Kiuchi (10). “Sometimes during the games she’s really goofy, and when we’re winning by a lot, she’s more silly.”

While her positive behavior undoubtedly is a great benefit for her student-athletes, Argumosa’s easy and outgoing personality also reflects in her classrooms and towards her students.

“I would describe her as friendly because we’re able to communicate with her not as a teacher, but as a peer,” said Anthony Mariano (11).

Despite her passion as a coach, Argumosa’s experience with English and education began prior to her coaching career. Teaching for over 15 years, Argumosa was heavily inspired by her high school English teacher, Mrs. Heckert.

“She made writing and vocabulary fun. Back then we had spelling tests too, so I’m a really good speller because of that,” said Argumosa.

Argumosa’s high school experience had not only inspired her interest in English, but also her passion for volleyball. Starting freshman year, Argumosa joined her high school and local club volleyball team, which helped her develop her skills to go on and play at the collegiate level at Whittier College.

“I was coached by quite a few different coaches,” said Argumosa. “But one of my favorite coaches was my freshman year [coach] at Whittier College. She played at Florida State, and when we had conditioning, we went to her beach house in Redondo Beach and ran miles and miles, pier to pier on the beach over there.”

During the athletic department’s search for a new head coach, Argumosa, with her past experience in volleyball, had been hired by Principal Diana Yarboi to take on the position as head coach. Stepping into a foreign position is never easy. Yet, Argumosa was able to lead the Varsity girls from last year’s five total wins to this year’s 16 hard-earned wins and to be considered for the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) playoffs.

“We beat some teams in league that we hadn’t beaten in a while. We beat some teams in preseason that we were predicted to lose to, so I think the surprise element that we brought and the intensity we brought to each match that we played surprised a lot of coaches and programs in our local area,” said Argumosa.

Of course, these accomplishments were heavily influenced by Argumosa’s prominent leadership. From team bonding to practices, Argumosa was able to create a program that grew in both skill and camaraderie, its effects evident in the girls’ improved results on court. For the players, this has served as a glimpse of what the program’s future entails. 

“Our team is more connected,” said Kiuchi. “[Next year] the team won’t be as divided anymore and we’ll be more pulled together.”

While Argumosa and the entire program’s ideal goal had been to attend CIF championships, the accomplishments from this season have brought excitement and set a foundation in the program that will inspire the Bulldogs throughout the off-season and into next year’s league.