The varsity girls volleyball team is off to a promising start for the 2011 season, starting off 3-0 in the BSAL with wins against St. Patrick-St. Vincent and Kennedy and a thrilling five-game victory over Salesian on September 20.
In non-league play the squad suffered a tough loss last week against rival Campolindo High School, in which they won the first set but lost the next three.
Following the Campo loss, the team worked extremely hard in practice to address a variety of errors. Senior Maddy Dunn said of a likely rematch: “the rival Cougars will be ours for the taking.”
In the recent Cougar Invitational Tournament, the girls beat Castro Valley, Balboa, and Mercy High School, but fell to Marin Catholic and settled for fifth place.
Top players for the 2011 squad include some young talent; Kyra Holt is a junior, and after receiving league MVP last year is a favorite for East Bay Player of the Year. Libero, or defensive specialist, Brooke Tannahill is only a sophomore but “is already such a strong leader on the court, she really takes control,” explained senior manager Emma Marquez-Shaw.
Marquez-Shaw also feels that “this year is going to go so well, especially if we really come through with our potential–our young team will help us out this year and with the future of the program.”
Albany has a reputation for consistently being tough competition, in and out of the Bay Shore Athletic League. However, one nagging question is if the team will face enough competition in BSAL to prepare the Cougars for a deep run in the North Coast Section tournament. Last year, the team suffered a tough first-round NCS loss to Analy High School.
Coach Roger Worsley, in his second year with the program, has really improved the girls’ work ethic and mental strength, both individually and as a team.
Senior setter McKenzie Giblin said of coach Worsley “his expectations are more distinct than any other coach I’ve had, he makes us work towards what we’re capable of.”
This year, in addition to their usual two-a-day summer practices, the Cougars played in a tournament against other top high schools in Hawaii. Working hard physically and playing other great squads will not be the only thing that contributes to the girls’ hopeful break into the top 100 ranking of state teams. The team agrees that Coach Worsley has taught them so much about being mentally tough as players and working together as a team.
Living up to their potential will be the girls biggest obstacle this season on their way to the top, something Junior Samantha Abkin describes as both a challenge and what she is most looking forward to.
Help cheer these Cougars on during their journey. Come to the gym at 5:30 on September 27 for their match against John Swett, or lend your support during big games against rivals St. Mary’s, October 6, St. Patrick St. Vincent, on October 13, or Salesian, on October 25.
