Team coming off of first-ever NBL title; returns six veterans
The varsity volleyball Jaguars will have a tough act to follow after an historic 2016 campaign, but with a strong group of returning veterans and a program loaded with momentum, the team may not skip a beat this fall.
Windsor is coming off a watershed season in 2016 that featured a number of firsts, including an historic NBL co-championship (4 way tie) and a first-ever win over Maria Carrillo to end its 70-match league winning streak. The Jaguars went on to score two wins in the North Coast Section Division 2 Tournament to advance to the CIF Nor Cal tourney for the first time before finishing the season at 19-7.
Although the Jags graduated six key veterans from that squad including NBL MVP outside hitter Allison Post and first-team all-league setter Bridget Aikawa, they will return many of the best players in the Redwood Empire this year.
The list of varsity returnees starts with senior first-team all-league libero Kylie Benjamin, the top defensive player in the NBL. She’ll be joined by returning senior setter Kaitlyn Alger, junior second-team all-league middle hitter Brittany Johnson, junior middle hitter Elena Dyer, Erica Rennie, senior outside hitter Katie Tembrock and junior outside hitter Destiny Clark.
The team will also benefit from a group of first-year varsity players eager to show what they can do. Joining the varsity ranks are Isabella Earl, Nicole Howard, Madison Omiotek, Brooke Rooney, Samantha Stewart, Kaitlyn Todd, Rene Tolson and Madison Weber.
The 2017 season will serve as year one of a two-year rotation, with the volleyball league to be reevaluated in 2019.
The Jaguars will kick off the North Bay League season on Tuesday, Sept. 12 when they visit Rancho Cotate and will host Cardinal Newman in their home opener on Thursday, Sept. 14. Start times for the JV and varsity are 5 and 6:30 p.m.
