Lions looking to compete in wide open SCL chase
The sky may be the limit for the El Molino girls volleyball program this fall, with a talented group of varsity returnees with their eyes focused on a winning campaign.
Head coach Becky Sani is back for her second season after guiding the Lions to a 10-13 record and a trip to the NCS playoffs last year, and is brimming with optimism for what lies ahead.
“I am super excited for the 2017 season,” she said. “We’ve planned out a really good pre-season to put us in a good position to make playoffs again for the second year in a row. Our motto this year is ‘clawing our way to the top,’ and that’s what we plan to do.”
Several factors will be in El Mo’s favor this season, most notably the return of a core of varsity standouts, along with the addition of several players moving up from the JV level.
The list of returning veterans features versatile fourth-year senior Tiger Berna and senior defensive standout Sara Flores.
“Berna will be a big offensive weapon for us, she can play any position on the court and this year we’ll take advantage of that flexibility,” Sani noted. “Flores has been working hard on her defense this summer and will defend our back row with determination.”
Other key varsity returnees include powerful sophomore outside hitter Sasha Senal and talented sophomore setter Kassidy Sani, who has fully recovered after a bout with Lyme Disease.
“Sasha has found a new level of power with her arm swing, so look for huge arm swings and unbelievable kills from this player,” Becky Sani noted.
Assessing her daughter’s comeback to the courts, Becky Sani said “Kassidy is hungry to play after being too ill to play club and will be a strong force as setter and team captain on the court. Her ability to play all positions makes her a very versatile player who will rack up many kills even as a setter.”
Bolstering the roster are seniors Lily Krause, Andi Amaya, Alberigi Lacy and Carly Covel, along with promising freshmen Grace McCormick and Audrey Serrano.
“McCormick will step into the position as our second setter and will also be hitting for us this year. She is a player to watch because she’ll be important to our program for many years. Audrey Serrano is a defensive player that is hungry to play and goes all out all the time. She plays with an intensity that you just can’t teach.”
El Mo will play a pre-league schedule loaded with Division 4 schools, a strategy designed to help the team reach the post-season.
“We’ll be doing a lot of traveling to Lake County, but those are schools that are more our size and equal playing abilities,” Becky Sani said. “We’re always at a disadvantage because it’s very rare to have club volleyball players go through our program here at El Molino. This year I have three varsity girls who play high level club volleyball and at least five who play club in our lower levels. This raises our level of play and game time experience. “
The Lions, who took full advantage of the off-season with regular open gyms, held a successful four-day summer camp for boys and girls in grades 6-12.
“Raising awareness and excitement about our sport is the baseline of any good high school program,” Becky Sani noted. “I don’t just want to win this year I hope to build a strong program that people around the area respect.”
The Lions will be part of a group of teams aiming to topple defending SCL champion Sonoma Valley, with Petaluma, Analy and Healdsburg also looking strong in what figures to be the last season before league re-alignment.
“We’re playing for the pennant this year,” Sani said. “How cool would that be to win the last SCL pennant?” “Big goals for a small school but don’t count us out because we’re hungry this year.”
Next week: a look at the Analy Tigers.
