Many Contribute to Volleyball Team’s 10-3 Start

The Eagle volleyball team has a 10-3 record as it prepares for its only preseason home match of the season, Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. against Yuba.

Many players from front to back are contributing to the best start by a Siskiyous volleyball team in 10 years. They've won their last six matches in a row, all by scores of 3-0 or 3-1.

"I'm happy the girls are closing out games," said head coach Lyndi Cadola, now in her fifth year with the team. "This group is super good at controlling the tempo and making teams earn their points. They're going for everything and focusing on serves and serve receiving. It's such a hard-working group. They're selfless, keeping their intensity and focus whether they're on the court or on the bench."

For the offense, freshman setter Mia Hansen ranks fourth among Golden Valley Conference players in assists and service aces per set, while the hitting is being led by sophomores Sadie Graviet, Rylee Brown, Heitiare Moala and Ajhana Tagler.

"Mia has been awesome," said Cadola. "She's super aggressive and digs everything like crazy. And she's a smart playmaker."

While outside hitter Graviet leads the team in kills, Cadola said right side hitter Moala "is finding her consistent swing and starting to blossom on offense."

Tagler and freshman Rowyn McDougall, both middle blockers, have been major contributors on offense. Tagler also leads the team in blocks and ranks fourth among GVC players. "They're doing all you could ask for," said Cadola.

Sophomore setters Maddie Gibson and Zoe Brooks are also teeing it up for the hitters.

Consistent defense has been a key to the team's early success, and seven Eagles are ranked in the top 24 among GVC players in digs per set, led by "super consistent" sophomore Quincy Paarsch (3.08). Also on that list are Mia Hansen (2.97), sophomore liberos Delaney Rowe (2.63) and Sarah Speasl (1.9), Rylee Brown (1.84), sophomore libero Samantha Oakley (1.78) and freshman libero Khloe Smith (1.7).

Cadola said Sarah and Samantha, the team's main liberos, are both competitive in a way that they make each other better.

Most recently, the Eagles won both their matches on Sept. 10th at the Folsom Lake Tri and both their matches Sept. 12th at the DVC classic, where they defeated Ohlone 3-1, and host Diablo Valley 3-0.

The Eagles' three losses were to teams that are beating just about everybody: Cosumnes River is 10-1, Cabrillo and Monterey Peninsula are both 9-1.

Feather River, at 16-0, is the only GVC team with a better record than the Eagles and the only other GVC team with a winning record so far.

After Wednesday's home match, the Eagles go back on the road to play two opponents each at Mendocino, Solano, Contra Costa and San Mateo. Their next home match will be the conference opener Oct. 10th against Shasta.

By Steve Gerace