WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL IMPROVES WITH EACH GAME: Spirited and gritty play in the face of hardship bodes well for the future

BY JON GUNTON
Editor

Vaituutuu Tuivasa stifles the Vikings offense with an attack block. PHOTOS BY FELIPE JUNQUEIRA / GUARDSMAN

After playing in two tournaments and three matches, the women’s volleyball team is confident they have what it takes to compete within the conference and possibly make the playoffs.

“We’ve really showed signs of promise,” head coach James Untalan said. “With a few minor adjustments, the team should do well in our upcoming matches.”

Although the team lost to No. 1 seeded Portersville in the playoffs of the first tournament at Yuba College, Untalan remained optimistic.

“We forced Portersville to earn every point,” he said. In their next match, the team easily defeated Laney College on the road in three games.

Three days later at the Mendocino tournament, Jazmin Pratt, one of the team’s best players, left with a knee injury in the second match. Even with the loss of Pratt, the Rams finished second, losing in the championship round to College of the Siskiyous.

Monica Sparks stepped up to fill Pratt’s position, and expectations. “Monica did a great job under pressure,” Untalan said.

“The players had to rally together. Even with the loss of one of our best weapons, the team remained up beat and positive during the entire tournament.”

Following Mendocino, the team lost to West Valley, but redeemed themselves with a victory two days later against Ohlone College.
“I feel good about the team. They seem to gain experience with each match and are learning how to adapt without our star player, Jazmin, which will only make us better when she comes back,” Untalan said.

Pratt is expected to play within the next two weeks.

The majority of the team is made up of newcomers — 10 of the 15 players are freshmen, and only four of the five sophomores played on the team last year.
“Most of the players have extensive backgrounds in club play throughout high school, so they are experienced individually,” Untalan said. “They just lack experience playing together as a unit.”

Despite a mediocre record of 6-9 last season, the team finished tied for third in conference play with Monterey College, but failed to make the playoffs.

“We didn’t lose a lot of good players after last year; in fact we held on to a few, so I think our chances of making the playoffs this year are good,” Untalan said. “The girls have been working out hard throughout the spring.”

“I think our strength is that we support each other and play well as a team,” said Kristy Epps, a sophomore who, according to coach Untalan, “has dramatically improved from last season.”

Pratt, also a returning sophomore, sees only one weakness. “We are vertically challenged. It would be nice if we were taller, but our ball control can balance that out.”

Along with Pratt and Epps, Nagala Barance, who Untalan said is one of the better players on the team, has returned as well.

Untalan said he is also glad to have picked up transfer Jennifer Berlinghoff from Shasta College because of her “strong play.”

“We have a large team with a lot of talent,” he said. “We are going to do a pretty good job of competing in the conference.”

Epps echoed her coach’s sentiment. “I think our chances of making the playoffs are good,” she said. “We have solid players in each position, and as long as we keep focused on the court and play hard, we will have no problem.”

e-mail: jgunton@theguardsman.com

SCOREBOARD

Football

In their second game of the season, the Rams annihilated West Valley College, 69-0. Tyreece Jacks rushed 185 yards for three touchdowns in the contest.

The Rams posted another shutout against Fresno, winning 40-0.

Linebacker Larry Grant was a stand-out performer. Grant collected two tackles for a loss, an interception, and a 20-yard touchdown off a blocked kick.

Jacks and quarterback Andrew Strom rushed for touchdowns, while receivers Jomar Drake and Maurice Purify collected three
total touchdowns for the contest. — Miles Harwell

Men's Soccer

Head coach Adam Lucarelli said last week that “the wheels are coming off.” This was in reference to the rough start for the Rams, who have yet to win a game. The current record is 0-3-1.

The tie came against Hartnell College. Freshman Salvador Velasquez scored the only goal in the 1-1 decision.

The Rams were then shut out against Cañada, 2-0. Sophomore Yuen San Klopatowski scored the only goal in the 2-1 loss to Santa Rosa.

The Rams lost again on Friday to Contra Costa, 2-1. Velasquez scored the goal. — Dan Verel

Women's Soccer

The Rams tied Marin 1-1 following their opening game, with Lindsey Offenbach scoring the single goal.

At Mendocino, the Rams tied again, 1-1, with Offenbach scoring yet again.

Lorena Contreras scored the only goal in the following game, a 3-1 loss to College of Redwoods. The Rams then faced Skyline and were defeated 5-2. Offenbach scored the two goals and quickly became the points leader for the Rams with a combined seven goals scored in five games.

The overall record stands at 1-2-2. — Dan Verel