Girls varsity volleyball starts the season off strong with a victory against Woodside High School in the first league game of the season.
Despite the win, the team continues to work hard to improve on all aspects of the sport in order to have a successful season.
“We had strong finishes, so that shows a lot of confidence. It’s just building up the consistency to be able to play that well in the beginning and in the middle of games,” said varsity coach Chris Crader.
Crader plans on improving the team’s defense, due to a lack of it in the game against Woodside.
“Last night we did not pass or play defense as well as we did in the past. We need to get that back at the level we need it at and we need to get our energy at a consistently high level,” said Crader.
The team has some setbacks that make it harder to play at the competitive level they did last season.
Senior Natalie Tussy said, “We had a lot of injuries so it’s been difficult for us to play at our highest level. Once all of our injuries clear up our team will be playing a lot better and we will be able to play with more unity and more togetherness.”
Senior Lauren Tierney has been out for three weeks due to a concussion and junior Alex Lay has been out for one week due to a shoulder injury. Tierney is the starting setter and Lay is the starting outsider.
“In previous years, our team has been a lot taller, so we’re having to learn to play well with more of a scrappy defense and shorter overall team,” said Tussy.
The team may have some weaknesses, but their strengths carry them through each game and practice.
Senior Monica Bayasgalan said, “We have a really good connection on the court and off the court. Our team gets along together very well.”
“Our serving has gradually been getting better every week, so that’s a good thing,” said Crader.
For the first time, Carlmont is holding a volleyball tournament. It’s an A-team tournament, so all the teams will play five matches.
Crader said, “It will be really competitive. All the teams seem to be pretty close based on how they’ve been doing so far this season. So there will be a lot of tough matches for our team and tough matches for the other team. It will be great practice for when we get into those tough matches later in the season.”
He has high hopes for what the volleyball team can achieve this year.
Crader said, “We need to be more consistent with our focus, with our effort, with our skills, with our energy, and if we do that I think we will be able to have a lot of success.”
Varsity volleyball will play next at South San Francisco High School on Sept. 25.
