Erin Redmond can be reached at (408) 842-1694. Follow her on Twitter @DispatchERed.
Gilroy
The Gavilan volleyball team is the reigning Coast Conference Champions and it doesn’t intend on handing over the title any time soon.
The Rams are not only looking to defend their title this season, but reach the state playoffs too — a goal they fell just short of last season.
“Obviously we want to repeat as Coast Conference Champions — that’s first and foremost,” Rams coach Kevin Kramer said. “We want to take it one game at a time. …If we take care of our responsibilities and focus on the things that we’re working on, the wins will hopefully happen by themselves. I tell the girls ‘You can’t try to win, you can just try to do what you’re supposed to.’ The points will come and the wins will hopefully happen. That’s kind of the plan.”
Gavilan finished 19-9 overall last year, advancing to the second round of the NorCal Playoffs before falling 3-0 to Fresno City College. Sophomore defensive specialist Karina Daniels was part of that team and said she’s ready to go deeper this season.
“I want to take it further than we did last year,” she said. “I don’t think we were really ready to end our season last year. I think as long as we get everybody’s momentum up to ours and get them to understand how serious and important it is to us I think we’ll do just fine.”
Daniels and fellow sophomore DS Brittani Siaz will be instrumental in the Rams defensive effort. The duo are confident in the backrow’s ability to make stops despite the fact that they are the team’s only returners in the backrow. They will be joined by newcomers like Raelynn Heredia and Allyson Dana from San Benito High School as well as Kaitlin Brummett who played for Christopher last season.
“I expect to have a lot of W’s on the board this year,” Siaz said. “We have a pretty good defensive team. We have a pretty young team as well but I think we’ll still be good.”
Offensively, the Rams have a wealth of experience. Players like setter Sabina Gerard — last year’s Coast Conference MVP and All Northern California selection — will be returning to the squad alongside rightside/outside hitter Tasmin Apple and middle hitters Andreinna Casteneda and Jessica Stofer. Their experience should prove beneficial to newcomers like Savanna Hartman, a Live Oak grad, and Ryan Asp from San Benito.
“There’s not a player on this team that shouldn’t contribute somehow. That’s what we’re excited about,” Kramer said. “Offensively, with as many players as we’re returning, we’re pretty solid. They are seasoned and know how to play. All in all, it’s probably our deepest and most balanced team we’ve had since we started here.”
Gavilan will be tested right out of the gate as it kicks off its season today at 2 p.m. at the L.A. Pierce College Classic in Los Angeles. The Rams will face off against the three-time defending state champions Pierce College, state playoff team Chaffey College and Yavapai College — an Arizona junior college scholarship team.
“I just want schools to know that we’re here to compete,” Siaz said. “We’re not only as good as we were last year, but we’re better than we were last year. I think we’re going to put up a fight. Even if we don’t win (at the tournament), I think they’re definitely going to remember us as a team that fought back.”
In conference, the Rams are expecting tough tests from Ohlone and Foothill Colleges as well as rival Cabrillo College. But the Rams aren’t worried about their conference opponents just yet, instead they are just focused on taking things one game at a time.
“I think that we have to look at every team the same,” Daniels said. “We can’t overlook anybody. …I think as long as we play our game every single time, we’re going to do great.”
