With the 2015 season just underway, the San Lorenzo Valley Cougar Varsity and Junior Varsity girls volleyball teams are pumped up and ready to make a run towards the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League title. Both Cougar teams, opened their season with games against the Santa Teresa High School Saints, who traveled from San Jose. Both the Varsity and Junior Varsity teams played hard and strong and put their all into their games.
The Junior Varsity played the first match of the night. The team came out and played very well. They were victorious in their efforts and came away with their first win of the season. They won the match 2-0. Sophomore Captain, Cassidy White, had a strong night behind the serving line that helped propel the team to victory.
The Varsity team, while playing hard, were not quite as successful and opened the season with a loss. The team showed heart and great effort, but came up short in three out of four games in the match (26-24, 25-22, 20-25, 25-20). Every match came down to the very end. Senior Captains Alli Poore and Anna Morris played well in the first game of their senior seasons. Kasia Gniewosz, another senior player, also played well.
Varsity coach Ashley Tennant said that she is excited about this season. She is looking forward to seeing what this team is capable of and said “there is a lot of talent on the court,” and believes they the team is not far behind to where they need to be to compete for the 2015-2016 SCCAL title.
This year’s team is a mixture of seasoned veteran players and young, powerful freshman. Three freshman, Kaelynn Gregory, Eleana Ballas, and Audrey Bingham joined the Varsity squad this fall. Senior, Sydney Mongiello states, “it’s definitely been a learning experience for them.” Luckily, the experienced upperclassmen on the team are there “to help coach the new players on the court,” Mongiello said.
There is a great team bond that follows this team. When asked about their team’s chemistry, Sydney Mongiello said, “this team works well together. We all go to school together and we’re friends”.
As for the three freshmen who are playing varsity, they started their San Lorenzo Valley Volleyball careers playing well. They have blended with the older, veteran varsity players and have quickly become a cohesive team. Although they have their work cut out for them, they’ve got the skill to compete and will help their teammates in any way they can. The freshman have a lot to learn, but the upperclassmen will help them excel.
The Junior Varsity squad is also looking forward to a great season. Sophomore Captains Sidney Williams and Cassidy White are poised to lead their team to another successful season on the court. This team is confident and very supportive of each other.
This year’s JV Cougars are lead by first year coach, Jacob Lindell. He is looking forward to a successful season. Last year’s JV team had a very strong season and they are working hard to make sure this season brings more of the same. Last year’s team didn’t lose any league matches and hope to repeat that same performance this year. Sophomore Lauren Lozier said, “the team’s chemistry is good and together we have embraced the changes the new season has brought.”
Make sure to come and support both squads in their upcoming matches! GO COUGARS!
By Courtney Carter
The Claw 