After dropping game two against Santa Barbara on the Dons’ home court, the girls’ varsity volleyball team played with energy and stormed back to take games three and four to win its first match of the regular season.
“It was a really exciting game because both teams came out with a lot of energy,” outside hitter Nicole Gould ’13 said. “Santa Barbara had a ton of fans and we used that energy to pump us up even more.”
The Wolverines were able to identify some aspects that they could take away from the match and use for their next game tomorrow against the Redondo Union Sea Hawks.
“We need to work on not letting down after we get a lead,” outside hitter Josephine Kremer ’14 said, who had 13 kills and 13 digs against Santa Barbara. “We played well [in scrimmages], but we had much more energy this match because it was against a better team.”
Kremer is one of the 10 returning varsity players this season, after the team lost four seniors last year.
Outside hitter Victoria Pearson ’12, libero Katie Price ’12, opposite Lucy Tilton ’12 and defensive specialist Sofia Davila ’12 graduated last year. Head Coach Adam Black said that the returning starters will help fill the void.
“Seven of [the returning players] received significant playing time. Their experience and leadership will support our efforts tremendously,” Black said.
Madison McAndrews ’13, starting as the team’s new libero in place of Price, led the Wolverines with 16 digs against Santa Barbara.
Along with the 10 returning girls, six new players also made the Wolverines squad this year including setter Nicole Elattrache ’14, who said she has made an easy transition from JV to varsity.
“All of the senior girls who are returners on varsity are very inclusive and have made the transition very easy,” Elattrache said. “We are a passionate group. This plays a huge role in our performance out there on the court.”
The team failed to win league last year for the first time during Black’s five-year tenure.
Black said that this team has the potential to take back the Mission League title.
“Our expectations are simple: to improve over time, compete for the league title, and compete for the CIF title,” Black said.
