Volleyball off to a rough start

The Yuba College volleyball team has had a rough run lately. The girls were defeated at the Santa Rosa Classic on September 23. There they lost, 3 – 0, to Santa Rosa Junior College, and 3 – 0, to College of the Sequoias. The September 27 match against Butte College also resulted in loss 3 – 0.

Despite the losses, assistant coach Julia Coats has high hopes for the girls. “We have our moments of let downs,” she said, ” but we’re hanging in there.” The team may be off to a rocky start, but they’re looking to pull out of it. “We have a very good chance to do well in the league,” Coats continued. “We’re a balanced team and we can do anything we want.”

When asked about the team’s strongest players, Coats referred to middle blocker Melissa Chapman. “Melissa has done a really good job for us. She’s had the most kills in the last few games,” Coats said. Chapman is an up and coming freshman from Yuba City High School.

Also, libero Lindsey Straolzini has been recognized in the Appeal-Democrat as Yuba College’s athlete of the week. Straolzini is also a freshman, coming to Yuba College from Lindhurst High School.

Co- captain Mariza Qhihuis is another great strength to the team. She is quick and has a killer strike at the net. Good luck to any one trying to anyone trying to get a kill on her. Quihuis is also the only sophomore on the team.

As far as injuries go, the team has been very lucky. Although a lot of the players are a little roughed up, there have been no serious injuries. Liz Ledford has a sore knee from a past ACL surgery, but is able to play without too much concern.

“We’re all a little banged up,” says Coatts, “we’ve had a long run of matches and tournaments but there’s nothing serious.”

Although the girls are young, they make up for it in off-season experience and pure aggression. These ladies know how to work together as a team.