Depth helping Modesto serve up victories

Panthers take aim at 3rd consecutive MMC crown

By Stu Rosenberg
srosenberg@modbee.com

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Many of the faces have changed, but the results have been the same for the Modesto High volleyball team.

Bunches of wins and contributions from up and down the roster.

The two-time defending Modesto Metro Conference champion Panthers are a perfect 4-0 in league play (15-5 overall), with each of the victories coming via a convincing 3-0 outcome.

Modesto co-coach Gloria Magana-Gentry calls this year's team a special group whose closeness is its greatest strength.

"(Co-coach) Kayla (Van Duyn) and I are so honored to coach this team together," said Magana-Gentry. "We have so much talent. Our girls have the best chemistry on and off the court. They all get along and there is no drama, which makes it easy for us as coaches to do our jobs.

"They are all willing to work hard at practice and they all love the sport."

Modesto is led by senior libero Samantha Flores, a second-team all-MMC selection a season ago and "the heart of the team," according to Magana-Gentry.

"She's very passionate about the game and always goes all out," Magana-Gentry said of Flores. "She can read hitters really well."

Alexa Garrett (a second-team all-MMC pick in 2008), setter Gianna Gallo, middle blocker Michelle Couchman and outside hitter Kaitlyn Klein are the Panthers' other returning seniors.

"Alexa is just about the most coachable player on the court and has great peripheral vision while she's attacking at the net," said Magana-Gentry. "While in mid-air, she can hear us telling her where to hit the ball, which is quite impressive for a high school athlete."

Magana-Gentry calls Gallo Modesto's ace server and a "natural-born leader."

"She works so hard, and the girls look up to her on and off the court," Magana-Gentry said.

The versatile Klein, who can play any position, has rebounded from a sprained ankle that cost her considerable floor time last season, while Couchman's hitting and blocking "has become so much more accurate and dominate," according to her coach.

The Panthers also have gotten major contributions from several newcomers, including athletic sophomore setter Genna Garrett and juniors Chelsie Alves and Madisyn Gafford.

"Genna is so athletic and a natural volleyball player, so it's a great combo," said Magana-Gentry. "She is one of our biggest contributors and we look forward to coaching her for the next two years."

Magana-Gentry calls Alves the team's strongest server and "an amazing defensive specialist" and says Gafford's boundless energy always sparks the Panthers.

"Chelsie brings strength to our team and her out-of-nowhere digs never cease to amaze us," said Gentry, "and Madisyn is always willing to improve and brings the team up with her excitement when she gets her blocks."

While Modesto continues to set the pace in the MMC, the league is not a one-horse race.

An improved Enochs (4-1 MMC) squad is quite visible in Modesto's rear-view mirror. Modesto has beaten the Eagles all the three times in which the teams have met this season, including twice in tournaments, but Magana-Gentry knows the gap between her team and the rest of the league is shrinking.

"The MMC has improved from last year, which is awesome because it just means that next year it'll improve again and we'll have stronger competition," said Magana-Gentry.

Last season, Modesto reached the section semifinals before falling to Nevada Union of Grass Valley. This year, the coach says her team has even loftier expectations.

"We believe, if the girls continue to work as hard as they've been, we can make it further than we did last year," said Magana-Gentry.

"We have high expectations for them, as they do for themselves, but only time will tell."