Galt celebrates the Class of 2026 — Madi McDonald, Maliah Phulmati Mangal, Courtney Brouwer, Whitney Ehlers, Morgan Jones and Mary Kate Miller — in the team's last home match of the season.

GALT, CA (MPG) - For the final time this season, the Galt High School girls volleyball team took the court in front of its home crowd, and the Warriors made sure the night belonged to the six seniors who have given so much to the program.

Before Tuesday's Sierra Valley Conference match against Amador, Galt celebrated its Class of 2026 — Madi McDonald, Maliah Phulmati Mangal, Courtney Brouwer, Whitney Ehlers, Morgan Jones and Mary Kate Miller — honoring a group that head coach Jennifer Sanchez credited with shaping the culture of the team. The pregame ceremony, attended by family, friends and teammates, marked the last home appearance of the season for the seniors, who were recognized for their leadership, their resilience and the standard they set for the younger players around them.

Once the ball went up, the visiting Buffaloes spoiled the celebration on the scoreboard, sweeping Galt 25-11, 25-23, 25-16. Amador controlled the match from the opening serve, but the Warriors showed plenty of fight, particularly in a second set they pushed to the brink.

Courtney Brouwer digs deep.

A Night to Honor the Class of 2026

The evening began with the senior ceremony, as each of the six honorees was introduced and walked onto the floor at Warrior Gymnasium alongside their families. For a program that has leaned on its upperclassmen all season, it was a chance to pause and reflect on everything the group has meant to Galt volleyball.

Senior night is always an emotional occasion, but this one carried extra weight. It was the Warriors' final home match of the season, meaning it was the last time the six honorees would take the floor at home in a Galt uniform. The ceremony marked both an ending and a celebration — a tribute to a group that has grown together over multiple seasons and helped carry the program through the ups and downs of a demanding Sierra Valley Conference schedule.

McDonald, Phulmati Mangal, Brouwer, Ehlers, Jones and Miller have each filled different roles over the course of their careers, and on Tuesday night those roles were on full display. Phulmati Mangal, a libero and setter, has been the engine of the Galt offense all season, while Brouwer and Ehlers have anchored the back row as an outside hitter and a defensive specialist. Jones has provided a steady presence at middle hitter, and McDonald and Miller have contributed in a variety of spots — from serving to defense — whenever the Warriors have needed them.

It was, in every sense, their night.

Amador Takes Control Early

Amador wasted little time establishing itself, racing out to a commanding lead in the opening set and closing it out 25-11. The Buffaloes' attack proved difficult to contain throughout the night; they finished with 38 kills as a team, compared to 20 for Galt, and were led by Lisla Watts, who recorded 14 kills at a .385 hitting percentage, and Macy Patterson, who added five kills on a .500 clip.

The second set was a different story. Galt settled in, traded points with the Buffaloes and forced Amador to earn every rally. The Warriors' defense kept them within striking distance, and the set came down to the closing points before Amador escaped, 25-23. It was the closest Galt came to stealing a set on the night, and it reflected the competitiveness the seniors have tried to instill in the program.

The third set saw Amador pull away again, closing out the match 25-16 to complete the sweep. Even as the deficit grew, the Warriors kept competing, leaning on the same resilience that has defined their senior class all season.

Ellie Lubich and Morgan Jones jump high and deflect a kill.

Senior Standouts

Even in defeat, the seniors delivered the kind of performances that have defined their careers.

Whitney Ehlers led the Galt attack with four kills on 13 attempts, posting a .077 hitting percentage and adding seven digs to go along with three service attempts.

Morgan Jones chipped in two kills on 19 attempts, collected three digs and recorded the Warriors' only block of the match, while also contributing three points from the service line on nine attempts.

Maliah Phulmati Mangal orchestrated the offense with 13 assists — an average of 4.3 per set — and added eight digs, finishing 8-of-9 from the service line at 88.9 percent with two points.

Courtney Brouwer turned in a gritty defensive effort, leading the team with 11 digs (3.7 per set) and handling a team-high 23 serve receptions while adding an assist.

Mary Kate Miller was steady in the back row with six digs (3.0 per set) and 10 serve receptions, and she was perfect from the service line on four attempts, adding a point.

Madi McDonald saw action across three sets, contributing a dig and helping steady the Warriors' ball handling.

Together, the six seniors accounted for the bulk of Galt's serve receiving and back-row defense, and their fingerprints were on nearly every rally the Warriors strung together.

Underclassmen Step Up

The seniors weren't the only Warriors to make an impact. Junior Zoey Sanchez led Galt with 10 kills, hitting .381 on 21 attempts while averaging 3.3 kills per set. She also recorded the team's only service ace, scored five points and added six digs.

Freshman Hattie Shillam added three kills on 15 attempts, and junior Jane Humphreys dished out six assists to go with seven digs and two points from the service line. Sophomore Emma McDonald chipped in two digs, while juniors Lily Cathey and Adelle Werdon and freshman Ellie Lubich also saw the floor.

The mix of veteran leadership and young contributors is exactly the balance the seniors hoped to leave behind — a roster that can carry the program forward.

'I Am Incredibly Proud'

Following the match, Sanchez reflected on what this senior class has meant to her and to the program.

"This senior class has brought an unwavering drive to the court every day, but what truly set them apart was their positive attitude and their eagerness to learn," Jennifer Sanchez said. "They trusted the process and no matter the challenge, they were willing to step out of their comfort zones to try new drills, positions or whatever was asked of them. They helped build a culture of resilience and positivity that will be remembered by all of our other players. I am incredibly proud and honored to have been their coach for their senior season."

Looking Ahead

The Warriors will close out their season on the road, but Tuesday's match was about more than the final score. For McDonald, Phulmati Mangal, Brouwer, Ehlers, Jones and Miller, it was a last chance to play at home in front of the crowd that has supported them — and a reminder of the legacy they leave behind.