Hillcrest women's beach volleyball standout Sandy Souza is ready to lead by example as a freshman – Press Enterprise

RIVERSIDE — When Sandy Souza was a little girl, she dreamed of becoming the next great gymnast.

Genetics ultimately pulled her in a different direction.

“She was only seven years old and already bigger than Simone Biles,” recalls Souza's father, Everton. “I had a conversation with her at the time and said, 'You can do whatever you want, but I really think your DNA is trying to tell you something.'”

Sandy resisted at first, but eventually moved on to volleyball, a sport very familiar to the Souza family.

Everton Souza has been a successful high school and college volleyball coach for 20 years and currently coaches the boys indoor team at Hillcrest High School while assisting the girls indoor and beach programs. Sandy's older brother, Marcello Souza, was already a standout indoor and beach player when she decided to give volleyball a try.

“I felt like that (playing volleyball) was something I really should try because that's what my dad and brother do,” Sandy said. “I loved gymnastics, but I kept getting taller and taller. I realized I had to listen to my dad.”

Sandy proved a natural talent and quickly gained acclaim. She won numerous beach tournaments over the years and earned her first AAA rating at age 13. Souza also found success indoors, as a setter for her club team and as an outside hitter during her freshman campaign at Hillcrest. She helped the Trojans win their fourth straight River Valley League championship during the fall season. And Souza is currently the star of the school's beach team.

“I first started playing when I was about nine years old. For me at that time, it was a social thing because it was where my family and friends were,” Sandy said. “But after a year of training and playing, I knew this was what I wanted to do.”

Sandy is 5 feet 11 inches tall and has strong arm swings. However, Everton allowed his daughter to play a balanced game.

“We all know the direction of the indoor game, which is to have the tallest players together,” Everton said. “But if you can become a player with all-around skills, you can usually find a position on the court. Beach games really help with that.”

Sandy added: “If you're a one-dimensional player, you're not going to have much success on the beach.”

And Sandy has had many memorable moments on the sand. She won the 2023 California Cup 14U title with partner Lucy Matuszak (Windward) and took second place at last summer's AAU Championship with partner Jordyn Wilson (Arrowhead Christian Academy). Although Sandy is good at her indoor games, she said her biggest passion is the beach game.

“It's just a different culture. Everyone knows everyone else and we all support each other and are very supportive,” she said. “And it’s on the beach!”

Sandy said he also enjoys the beach games because of the great responsibility the players have during the games.

“You can’t hide out or make excuses,” she said. “It's just you and your partner, and you have to do your job for the team to be successful. It can be a lot of pressure, but it's really rewarding to be in control of your own destiny.” I really love you.”

Everton Souza said he would encourage all players to try beach games to build mental strength.

“There are more than 12 players on the indoor team. So if a player is struggling, the coach can make a substitution and bring in another player,” Everton said. “You don't have that option on the beach. He has to figure things out and admit his mistakes.”

The CIF Southern Chapter added women's beach volleyball to its official sports program last season. Hillcrest was one of the few inland schools to field a team from the beginning, and the Trojans finished that first season with a 2-6 record.

Sandy will partner with junior Analissa Baquilan on the Trojans' No. 1 team this season.

“I really want to help grow the (beach) game here even more,” Sandy said. “While I may have more experience on the beach than most of my teammates at Hillcrest, I’m still going to fight for my position and do what I can to help the team win.”

Everton added: “Throughout her years, there were many older players who took her Sandy under their wing and helped her along the way. This is the same for her as her Hillcrest players. It will be an opportunity to do something.”