As the number one seed in the Peninsula Athletic League, the girls volleyball team took home their first Central Coast Section Division II championship title last season. The Dons are currently 8-6 overall and hope to continue their reign as defending champions.
Compared to the 2018 season, this year’s team has an upperclassman majority with half of their players being seniors, while last year there were only three seniors. The increased number of upperclassmen will bring leadership and experience to every aspect of the season and the team.
“Our strength is our depth,” said head coach Annette Gennaro-Trimble. “Because we have majority upperclassmen, they have the experience of playing in ‘big’ games and are versatile in many positions.”
To prepare for big games, the girls are do lots of scrimmages and conditioning during practice, which is creating a unified bond on the floor that is necessary for volleyball. The Dons lost 3-1 at their opening game against Menlo School on Aug. 29, a school that the Dons have been struggling to find success against for many years. The team also competed in two tournaments, Spikefest and the Menlo Tournament where they obtained a record of 2-3 and 3-2 repectively. They will continue to face strong teams that they lost to in the 2018 season such as Carlmont, Menlo-Atherton and Los Altos.
“Menlo is always a fun team to play against,” said senior outside hitter Lydia Manu. “And of course our rivalry games against Hillsdale and San Mateo are ones that I look forward to the most.”
The Dons will be facing San Mateo and Hillsdale back to back on Oct. 1 and Oct. 3, respectively. Looking further into the season, the Dons all agree on one general goal — to win CCS and advance further in the California Interscholastic Federation state playoffs.
“I am looking forward to this season because we have so much new talent and our team has improved so much,” said junior setter and right side hitter Lucy Yin. “We are ready to fight for the CCS championship again.”
With new players including senior outside hitter Alyssa Chew, sophomore outside hitter Skylar Rubinstein and freshman setter and right side hitter Anau Tongamoa, the Dons will soon see new plays, progressions, advancements, and energy.
“We have some amazing new girls who are incredible and will surely add to our team.” Manu said. “Everyone grew within this past year and I can’t wait for their progress to shine this season.”
This season, the Dons hope that their determined mindset and well-established bonds will set them apart from their competition on the court and hopefully get them the championship crown once again.
“Go out and do your best and you will walk off the floor satisfied with yourself,” Gennaro-Trimble said. “All you can do is work hard.”
The Dons will have their next home game against Gunn (6-5 overall) on Sept. 13.
