Team replacing core of program’s first championship team
GILROY — There is no avoiding the fact that Gavilan College women’s volleyball is now a perennial force to be reckoned with in the Coast Conference.
After two years of almosts and not-quites, the Rams obliterated the record books last season, finishing with a 17-7 overall mark and a 9-1 conference standing to capture the program’s first conference title and the top seed in the NorCal Regional playoffs.
Still, coach Kevin Kramer and his staff have a bone to pick.
“Even though we were that first seed coming out of the conference last year, everybody looked past us and saw Cabrillo as the team from the Coast Conference,” Kramer said Tuesday. “There is a little bit of a chip on the coaching staff’s shoulders about that.
“At the same time, (junior college) turns over so fast that even the top team in Northern California can be middle of the pack this year. So, yeah, we were successful last year, but we are starting from scratch again.”
The Rams lost four 2009 first-team all-conference players, including 2009 all-NorCal Region recipient Bri Romero and the program’s all-time leader in blocks, Cheyenne Hambey. On the other hand, the Rams return a solid group of sophomores, including defensive specialist Jenifer Huebner, libero Shayna Nakata, outside hitter Jessica Rux and defensive specialist Liz Hermosillo, who returns to the team after a year off.
“From a defensive standpoint, we return all of our main defensive players from the past two years. But that means there’s basically no offensive players. So we have some big holes to fill,” Kramer said.
As it so happens, a strong class of eight freshmen will be those pieces to fill the puzzle. Many of whom have played club volleyball from Kramer.
“The freshmen we have coming in are all volleyball players,” Kramer said. “None of those kids have played a little bit here, a little there. So as far as volleyball IQ standpoint, this is the best we have ever been as far as knowledge and experience.
“It’s just a matter of getting these young kids up to the speed at this level.”
Among the eight newcomers, two were distinguished as Tri Country Athletic League first-team selections — Gilroy’s Melissa Avila and San Benito’s Emily Tonascia.
As a senior, Tonascia led the Balers in kills (245) and blocks (91), helping the team to a CCS semifinals appearance last fall. Jessica Meade, another former Baler, was second on the team in kills behind Tonascia with 231.
“(Tonascia) is going to be a stud player,” Kramer said.
Avila, who will see time at outside hitter in 2010, was a key figure in the Mustangs’ run to the quarterfinals a year ago.
“I know that they are going to adapt well,” Kramer said. “What we need to catch up with is the intensity of the game because it is a lot different than high school. Once they get their feet wet and step back and say, ‘I get it,’ we might struggle a bit. But once that happens, I think talent-wise, we can play with pretty much anyone in Nor Cal.”
The Rams participated in a doubleheader last Thursday against Feather River and Taft. Though the Rams dropped both matches in four sets, Kramer noted that small mental mistakes and an uncharacteristic amount of unforced errors hindered an otherwise promising effort.
The Rams hit the road to Stockton Friday for a weekend stay at the Delta College Classic.
Gavilan returns home to host the Gavilan College Classic on Sept. 25 before launching into Coast Conference play Oct. 1 at home against Hartnell.
