The Girls’ Volleyball season is already back in full swing, and the team has had balanced losses and victories so far. Their first match was on Aug. 12 against Newport Harbor High School, ending in a loss of 3-0. They are currently 5-7-1, making them fourth in the South Coast League
Their next event is a match against Beckman High School on Sept. 16, and the team is training hard to perform their best.
The team will participate in the South Coast League again this year, although competitors in the league have slightly changed. San Clemente High School has gone down to Seaview, and Beckman High school has taken their place.
This year, the team captains are three seniors: Bree Carson, Jaslene Massey and Marli Whiting. Coach Danet continues to serve as the Head Coach of the team.
Carson, motivated to finish off her last season at Aliso with a bang, hoping to “make a strong CIF run and really show how much [we’ve] grown as a team.”
This year the athletes are receiving training assistance from lifting coach Tanner Smith, who also works with many other sports and programs at Aliso Niguel. His assistance helps the team stay, in Coach Danet’s words, “healthy and physically prepared for our upcoming season.”
For this season, Coach Danet has the goal to create a strong mentality for her team and a good bond in the team. This is to encourage team work and support that will make Aliso Niguel’s team tougher than its competitors.
Carson is also using her leadership skills to push the team to success as well. She said, “It’s important to bring energy, communicate on the court, and keep everyone dialed in when things get tough. I also want to focus on the little details, whether that’s working extra on my skills or making sure our team is prepared before each match.”
When asked what the team is focusing on in training, Coach Danet said, “The team is working really hard to improve on individual and team goals.”
She expressed that the team has shown its high potential so far, but that the team still has certain things to improve on. She especially pushes her athletes to refine their consistency and ball control during plays.
Hopes and morals are high as the team anticipates the new season of volleyball.
