Plenty of talented Stanislaus District volleyball players. Here are the top to watch
While the Southern League is entering its final week of volleyball, many of the leagues in the Stanislaus District, including the Central California Athletic League and Valley Oak League, will open next week.
Three schools (Central Catholic, Escalon, and Ripon Christian) won CIF Sac-Joaquin Section titles in 2019 but they won’t have the chance to defend their titles because there are no playoffs for any sports.
It’s a quick, six-week season for most.
Here are who area coaches said are the top players:
Central Catholic: The defending Div. III champions return plenty of talent, including Abby Castillon, 2019 Modesto Bee Fall Athlete of the Year.
Castillon, who suffered a torn ACL in her left knee last January, is “100-percent healed”, coach Michelle Springmeyer said.
Abby’s older sister, Hannah, a senior. has signed with Cal State Monterey Bay but suffered a knee injury in a recent practice and Springmeyer said she wasn’t sure about her status for the season.
The Raiders added more firepower in the offseason with the arrival of junior Kate Cover, who had 723 kills in two seasons at Modesto High.
Cover will have to sit-out until late April due to a section transfer rule.
Senior Kalli McElrath is another key returner for the Raiders.
Escalon: Head Coach Teresa Williamson said the Cougars are “very young” but experienced with only three seniors. Escalon will be led by junior Mandy Murphy and sophomore Emily Vickers, who were No. 1 and 2 in kills in the Cougars’ five-set victory over Union Mine in the Div. IV title game.
Senior Koren Rodriguez and junior Grace Ferreira will share the libero responsibilities after three-year varsity starter and last year’s captain, Tess Cosby, graduated.
Gregori: The Jaguars will be without a key piece from last year’s team that advanced to the second round of the CIF State Division II Playoffs.
Olivia Keller graduated early and enrolled at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
Hilmar: The Yellowjackets lost plenty of talent from last year, including captain Olivia Peterson (graduated) but seniors Genavieve Fontes and Mikela Labno return.
Labno, a three-time All Trans Valley League honoree, has signed with San Diego State.
She is an all-around outside hitter that plays a strategic game,” Hilmar coach Patti Harris said. “A beautiful approach with a very high vertical. Not only are her skills at a high caliber she is loved by all the players she ever played with at Hilmar.”
Pitman: The Pride finished third in the Central California Athletic League in 2019 and return senior setter Haley Freeman and senior libero Madison Hall. Both Freeman and Hall are captains this year.
Ripon Christian: The defending Div. V champion Knights will not field a team according to Athletic Director Kevin Tameling.
Turlock: The Bulldogs shared a league championship with Gregori last year and senior Ava Chiesa, who had 231 kills last year, is back.
This story was originally published April 14, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
