The girls’ volleyball team placed third out of 36 schools in the High Sierra Reno Tournament on Sept. 5-6 with a record of 6-2.
“They surpassed what I was expecting in terms of playing and results,” assistant coach Andrew Lin said.
According to head coach Dave Winn, last year’s team tied for fifth in the same tournament.
The girls have showed their potential in the tournament, performing well even without 2008 graduates Hillary Ford, the league’s MVP; Euna Oh, the all-league libero; Jessica Juarez, the all-league setter; and Ashley Acuff, the varsity team’s defense specialist.
Paly started freshman Melanie Wade as a middle and senior Allie Coleman as a setter, both without much game experience. But the overall team performance was exceptional.
“Our setter, Allie Coleman, was solid and kept our team focused,” Lin said. “Also, our freshman middle did not play like a freshman — she was poised and did what we needed her to do. … Our new libero, [sophomore] Megan Coleman, played very well, maybe almost as well as Euna [Oh], and our outside hitter, [junior] Marissa Florant, really stepped up with her good as well as smart hitting.”
In 2007, the volleyball team won its first De Anza League title after tying with Los Altos in 2006.
Homestead, Mountain View, Los Gatos and cross-town rival Gunn are expected to put up a challenge to the Vikings this season. According to Winn, many of the teams this season are getting better because of more returning players and, thus, more experience.
Winn has other objectives for the girls besides winning the league title.
“I want them to be the most improved team in the league, starting from a certain level and seeing how far they can go,” Winn said.
This year the Lady Vikes have six returning players: junior M. Florant; seniors Helene Zahoudanis and Eliza Stevens; and senior team captains Ally Whitson, Daniella Florant and Coleman.
Among the new faces on the team this year are freshmen Maddie Kuppe and Wade, both of whom Winn was initially hesitant to place on varsity.
“I’m reluctant to take frosh on the team since they might not be able to get along socially with older players,” Winn said. “[But] both Maddie [Kuppe] and Melanie [Wade] are advanced with their volleyball skills and confidence, so that wasn’t an issue.”
Junior Ke’ili Deal agrees with Winn’s assessment of the younger team members.
“We have great potential and really great underclassmen,” Deal said.
The girls have come together as a cohesive team during three weeks of practice and the Reno tournament.
“We did a really good job bonding,” Kuppe said.
The tournament has also revealed the many strengths and weaknesses of the team.
“[The girls have an] ability to be a cohesive team,” Winn said. “Lots of things can go wrong…[but] they come together [fast]. During the match, the team that adapts faster wins.”
Coaches have analyzed the team’s performance in the tournament and have created a list of improvements for the girls to work on this season. Perfecting serves, passes and digs; minimizing errors; and attacking efficiently have already become important points of emphasis.
Winn also stresses the need for the players to have fun.
“Volleyball is supposed to be fun,” Winn said. “I think they play better when having fun.”
The team made a satisfying mark in the tournament and also played Mt. Pleasant at home on Thursday. This was the first of two non-league games played in preparation for the regular season. The Vikings won, 3-0. The girls easily won the first two sets, both with a score of 25-9. Mr. Pleasant put up more of a challenge in the third set, but was still defeated, 25-18.
The volleyball team will face Woodside at 6:45 p.m. on Sept. 16 at Paly in another non-league game.