Analy varsity volleyballers in retooling mode

Young squad hoping to continue winning tradition
The 2016 high school volleyball campaign should be an interesting one for the Analy varsity team, which enters the fall season with a relatively young squad hungry to make its mark.
Veteran head coach Holly Folendorf returns to lead a program that graduated most of its top players in June, but has bolstered its varsity roster with an infusion of young talent.   
“This year is a completely different team for us, as we graduated eight seniors last year,” Holendorf said. “While the team may be young, they have a lot of volleyball experience and are very hardworking and focused. In the first couple of weeks, they are really working together as a unit.”
The team does have its share of leadership, led by seniors; DS/libero Tori Fitzpatrick, middle block Julia Bachteal, opposite hitter Hailey Ghadiri, middle blocker Sophie Holland and OH/OPP Tallulah Kuula.  
Juniors are; libero/DS Sabrina Stephens, DS/libero Vivi Virgil, opposite hitter Ava Ehenes,  MB/OPP Alexis Dibene, DS/libero Korina Pierson and setter Ally Carter.  
Sophmores include; MB/OPP Merritt Taggart, setter Jalynn Serpa, opposite hitter Claire Rudderow, DS/libero Makayla Kraemer and setter Carson Rasmussen. Setter Maddy Windsor is the lone freshman on the roster.  
The Tigers (1-0) are already off to a winning start, scoring a victory in straight sets over host Santa Rosa on Aug. 25; 25-23, 25-20, 25-9.  Ehnes led the attack with 16 kills and eight digs.  Other good efforts were had by Holland (6 kills, 3 blocks), Kuula (6 kills), Rudderow (5 kills, 2 blocks, 18 digs, 2 aces), Rasmussen (14 assists, 3 aces, 8 digs) Serpa (15 assists), Fitzpatrick (2 aces) and Stephens (2 aces, 14 digs).  
Analy will continue preseason play this week when they host Windsor on Aug. 30 (after press time) and visit Cardinal Newman on Thursday, Sept. 1 (6:30 p.m.). The Tigers travel to Maria Carrillo on Tuesday, Sept. 6 (6 p.m.) and open the league season at Healdsburg on Sept. 8 (6 p.m.).