Introduction:
As the 2025 season comes to a close, Santiago High School honors its senior boys volleyball players- Caleb Guieb, Isaiah Guieb, Elijah Tajo, Pierce Willardson, Nathan Martinez, Carson Chambers, and Khalif Muhammad- for their dedication, leadership, and commitment to the program. These seven seniors have contributed their talent and hard work on the court, shaping the culture and spirit of Santiago volleyball. Their presence will be deeply missed both on and off the court.
Pierce Willardson:
Over the past four years, Pierce has become a cornerstone of Santiago High School’s boys volleyball program by contributing his impressive stats and a deep commitment to team culture and excellence. Reflecting on his time at Santiago, Pierce shared, “Considering the inevitable ups and downs in high school, I think Santiago is one of the best programs for sports and education,” praising both the athletic achievements and education. As a four-year varsity player, Pierce holds memories close to milestones like going to CIF Semi-Finals as a freshman, going undefeated in league play, and enjoying the “iconic bus rides back home from away games.” His most memorable personal moment came when he broke three major blocking records-career blocks, blocks in a single game, and total season blocks-an achievement fueled by focus and discipline: “I made a goal to beat it… this changed my perspective and helped me focus on being disciplined when blocking.” As his final home game brought a bittersweet realization, Pierce now looks forward to attending BYU Provo to study Business and Astrophysics. For younger players, his advice is simple: “If you are playing it to get better, then you can’t waste your time… If you work hard to achieve your goals while uplifting your team, you’ll find a whole new way to have fun playing volleyball, and win while you’re at it.”
Elijah Tajo:
Elijah, known to many as Eli, has had a truly inspiring journey at Santiago High School, both on the court and in the classroom. “Making the volleyball team after being cut my freshman year and then getting pulled up to varsity for CIF sophomore year motivated me to keep going,” Eli shared, showing how his perseverance and dedication fueled his growth. Volleyball didn’t just sharpen his athletic ability- it also pushed him academically: “Making grades for volleyball motivated me to keep my grades up, as my academics come first.” Among his favorite memories, last year’s senior night against Norco stands out as a defining moment: “The energy in the gym was through the roof…we reversed swept Norco to secure first place indefinitely.” His final home game brought a wave of emotion, as he reflected on sharing the court with his teammates one last time: “It was bittersweet, but I know that wherever we go in our future, we will always be connected through volleyball.” Inspired by backyard games during quarantine with his cousin, Eli’s passion for the sport has led him to incredible heights, and as he prepares to attend UC Riverside, he offers advice to younger athletes, “Mistakes don’t define your worth as a player…having that fortitude and the resilience to keep going…will take you so much farther than you could ever imagine.”
Nathan Martinez:
Nathan’s journey at Santiago has been one of growth, discovery, and unforgettable experiences, both academically and through sports. Reflecting on his start in volleyball, he shared, “Trying out for the team was my first time touching a volleyball, definitely nerve-racking, but once I found out I made the team, I quickly began to find a love for the sport, especially throughout Santiago’s amazing program.” That love grew stronger through intense and memorable games, with his favorite being a match against Roosevelt. “We knew they would be our toughest opponent… It was an amazing game, and we went to five sets and came out on top. The energy in the gym was incredible,” he recalled. His final home game also left a lasting impression, saying, “It was awesome seeing all our seniors on the court at once, and everyone in the gym smiling and giving us energy on the court. A game I will remember.” Nathan started playing volleyball with his dad’s encouragement and because “some of my close friends were also trying out.” Now headed to Orange Coast College, he leaves younger players with this advice: “Enjoy every moment and remember that the only way to get better is to learn from your own mistakes.”
Caleb Guieb:
Caleb’s time at Santiago has been a meaningful chapter in his high school journey, marked by new beginnings, lasting friendships, and memorable experiences in the classroom and on the volleyball court. “Coming out of the isolation of the pandemic, Caleb found comfort and confidence in the school’s supportive environment. “I felt so anxious to go back to school, and thankfully, I had such a good community to make new friends in that contributed to many great memories in all my activities at Santiago.” A dedicated volleyball team member, some of his favorite moments weren’t on the court, but in the shared joy with teammates. “My favorite was having a rave inside the locker room and having Coach Min get hype with us.” Inspired by his older brother’s desire to try something new beyond soccer, Caleb picked up volleyball and never looked back. As he prepares to graduate, he looks ahead with excitement to attending Cal State Fullerton and continuing to chase new experiences.
Conclusion:
As the final whistle blows on the 2025 season, the impact of this year’s senior class
– Caleb Guieb, Isaiah Guieb, Elijah Tajo, Pierce Willardson, Nathan Martinez, Carson Chambers, and Khalif Martinez- extends far beyond wins, records, and championships. These athletes have led with heart, resilience, and dedication, setting a lasting example for the underclassmen who will follow in their footsteps. Their unique journeys are shaped by perseverance, teamwork, and passion for the game. They have helped define Santiago’s volleyball legacy. Though their time on the court in a Santiago jersey has ended, the bonds they’ve built and their shared spirit will continue to echo in the program for years to come.
