Suspect Slashes 57 Volleyballs At South Pasadena High

SOUTH PASADENA (CBS) — The girls volleyball team at South Pasadena High discovered 57 slashed balls at gym practice on Thursday.

The incident happened between 5 p.m. Wednesday and 10 a.m. Thursday. Authorities found no signs of forced entry at the school at 1401 Fremont Avenue.

"I don't know why anybody would want to stab volleyballs," junior Claire Kieffer said.

"It was a big surprise to all of us and devastating to hear," said senior Isabella Hardy.

Head coach Ben Diaz said the volleyballs were worth $2,000, and all of that money was hard earned.

"It comes from fundraisers, volleyball camps, parent donations…a bunch of stuff. So it's frustrating to see all of these balls go to waste," he said.

Principal Janet Anderson said the situation hurts the students directly.

"If it was a young person, they hurt their peers directly. Someone took time to do this, so it was especially nasty," she said.

The team is back to practicing with their old volleyballs, but they're not going to let the crime break their sprit.

"It will be a continuation of hard work of trying to raise the money to bring back the equipment," said Hardy.