Happy days are most definitely here again for West County
volleyball aficionados, as Analy and El Mo teams figure to continue
their court dominance this fall.
While the Tigers are out to capture a school record sixth
straight Sonoma County League crown, the Lions will field a vastly
improved squad that could place them among the elite teams in the
North Bay.
Tigers set for annual title run
Analy has been the envy of the region under veteran returning
coach Nancy Williams, who has molded the team into an annual
juggernaut. Last season, the Tigers won a share of their fifth
straight SCL title and advanced to the semi-finals of the NCS
division-three tournament before falling to eventual champion
Bishop O’Dowd to end the season at 29-7.
Although Analy graduated several players from that squad,
they’ll still be loaded with talent and may have even more depth
than in previous years.
“I really like what the girls have been doing in practice since
the season started,” said Williams. “I have seven seniors who are
very driven and eager to improve our team. We’re working very hard
in the gym- they’re probably one of the toughest teams I’ve coached
since I’ve been at Analy. We have a lot of different personnel
which will give us a different look depending on who we play,” she
added.
Key players will include; senior middle-blocker Courtney Covey,
senior OH/DS Briana Adviento, senior setter/OPP Mara Petrucci,
senior outside hitter Claire Sullivan, junior OH/DS Megan Winters,
junior outside hitter Hana Lamb, and senior libero/DS Sierra
Fiesel.
Other players figuring to make an impact are senior DS Kelsey
Allen, senior middle-blocker Shannon Regan, junior OH/RS Christina
Seymour, junior setter Ashley Boyle, junior setter Madelyn Davis,
junior middle-blocker Kira Rudderow, sophomore DS Bryce Gevas,
sophomore DS Rene Taniguchi, and sophomore middle-blocker Kirsha
McElroy.
The Tigers will open the pre-season against Napa on Aug. 31
(after press time), and travel to Montgomery next Tuesday, Sept. 7.
Analy opens the SCL season at home on Sept. 14 against El
Molino.
Lions set to move up in the rankings
El Mo made big strides last year under head coach Leslie Grassl,
returning to the NCS playoffs to finish the season at 14-12, and
may take another giant step toward the elite class this season.
The Lions are already off to a 2-0 start in pre-season, having
defeated Kelseyville in three games and Ursuline in four last
month.
“I would expect us to be in the top four of the league again
this year, with a chance of winning it all,” predicted Grassl.
The team is led by returning senior outside hitting stars Siera
Taylor and Emma Vierra, junior outside hitter Erica Gutsch, senior
setter Melissa Manni, junior DS Taylor Lunardi, junior outside
hitter Jessica Reiter, senior middle-blocker Katrina Trauman,
senior OH/S Vallena Lipske, senior outside hitter Sara Hoener,
senior OH/setter Bethany Garman, senior DS Amanda Foster, and
senior DS Lorena Cruz.
Bolstering the team are first-year varsity players Farrah Parks,
Stephanie Singler, Carly Stuart, Taylor Olmsted, and Morgan
Would.
The Lions will visit Santa Rosa on Sept. 2 (4/5/6:30 p.m.) and
entertain Willits on Sept. 7.
Dig Pink Night on tap
The Lions and Tigers will join forces in holding a “Dig Pink
Night” on Thursday, Oct. 7. Proceeds from the match and concessions
will go toward the continuing fight against breast cancer.
