Winning Ways: Yuba College Women’s Volleyball

The Yuba College Women’s Volleyball team has a winning tradition over the last ten years, annually the team to beat in the Bay Valley Conference. The 49er women went 23-2 last season, easily winning the conference title. Greg Chapman has coached the team for the last seven seasons, taking responsibility for building the character of the program. The consistency and high level of achievement make volleyball one of the most successful sports programs in the school’s multi-sport Athletic Department.

The 49er women are technically sound and work hard in practice every day. This work ethic has paid dividends as the team is poised and professional, playing well down the stretch with an overall record of 18-8, and a conference record of 10-3. Should the 49ers continue their winning ways, they are hoping for an at large bid to the playoffs.

Most recently, the 49ers faced off against Contra Costa at the net. The Comets are always tough to beat in any sport, one of the main rivals in the Bay Valley Conference every year for Yuba College. The 49er women easily handled the Comets in a best of five match-up, in three straight games by scores of (25-5,25-17,25-18) at home. The match was never in doubt and the 49ers looked strong in all three games. Five nights later the team was victorious against another conference opponent (25-10,25-25,25-23), Mendocino College. The win leaves the 49ers just two games out of first place with three to play. They still play Alameda College, one of the two teams in front of them, with three games remaining, all in conference.

The reason that the team is playing well at this point in the season is the players are physically, mentally, and emotionally able to give their best effort on the court at game time, having been prepared well by Coach Chapman during weekly practices. Also, they understand the necessity to be ready to start the game upon arrival and the discipline to finish with authority.
Angela Palacio is a graduate of Sutter High School and she says, “The mental aspects of the game are becoming more important as we go along. This team feels like family to me. We are ready to play Alameda in the season finale next Friday night.” The team faces Alameda College on November 15th at the Yuba College gym.Alyssa Mills, a sophomore, played soccer, basketball and volleyball while growing up says, “I stayed with volleyball because there is no boredom in the sport. It teaches you to be on your toes every second. I feel privileged to have continued playing with these girls at Yuba College this season.” Mills hopes to stay at Yuba College after graduation as the Assistant Volleyball Coach for Head Coach Greg Chapman.

Morgan Cowan-Fayter is a Freshman and one of four players from Marysville High School. Cowan-Fayter enjoys playing the sport with friends that she knows. She said, “I like the fast paced game. Preparing mentally first for the game helps me play well physically. It’s in my blood.” The 49ers look forward to her Sophomore return next season.

Note: This article was featured in the Prospector, Winter 2013 edition.