Pitman volleyball playing for more than just pride

Since when does a volleyball team finish second in a state final but watch its brand go global, with tentacles stretching across the Twitter-verse?

When that program is Pitman, a public school building by the moment under coach Kristen Pontes-Christian, like a snowball moving downhill.

The Pride made history last fall by winning an elusive Triple Crown: a fourth straight Central California Conference championship; a Sac-Joaquin Section Division I banner; and a CIF Northern California Division I crown. The Pride was derailed in the state final by Redondo Union 25-23, 25-18, 25-21, but nine months later, the spotlight still favors the runner-up.

The cornerstones of Pitman’s historic season – outside hitter Lindsey Vander Weide and setter Maddy Halteman – have found their way into the Division I college ranks. Halteman is redshirting at Fresno State, while Vander Weide has been a force for the University of Oregon.

Vander Weide was named the Pacific-12 Conference Freshman of the Week after amassing a season-high 20 kills against fourth-ranked Nebraska and 15 kills in a come-from-behind victory over George Washington.

She even has her own trending hashtag: “#VanderSmash.”

“That’s pretty cool,” Pontes-Christian said.

The glow of Vander Weide’s star helps frame a new season along Christofferson Parkway, where the expectation grows annually like rows of corn. The Pride is 178-73 in eight seasons under Pontes-Christian, and it has won 49 consecutive conference matches, a streak that spans parts of four seasons.

“Last year was an amazing season,” Pontes-Christian said, “but we don’t feel that pressure. We’re focused on this group and going one game at a time and doing the best we can do.”

They don’t feel that pressure, but it does exist. Pontes-Christian says the team has talked internally about protecting its conference crown and using those games to build momentum for the section playoffs.

“Every season, we keep improving and doing better and better. It’s going to be hard to go up from where we finished last season, but the goal is to continue to be successful,” she said. “League is the first thing we want to accomplish. We want to be champions.”

Nothing is given.

Pitman doesn’t have to look far for competition. Pontes-Christian understands the Pride may not even be the best team in town.

Turlock is ranked No. 1 in MaxPreps’ Sac-Joaquin Section rankings, which doesn’t account for every team. The Bulldogs are worthy of such praise, though. Sophomores Julia Handy and Jadyn Tubbs teamed with Pitman’s Whitney Barnes to lead the Rage 15-1s to a gold medal at the Junior Nationals in New Orleans during the summer.

“Honestly, everyone always asks, ‘Are you nervous or worried about Turlock?’ I’m not, because I love the Turlock-Pitman games,” Pontes-Christian said. “It’s a healthy competition and the stands are full of fans. I love the back-and-forth rallies. I love the intensity of every point. It will be an all-out battle until the end.”

The two teams will meet at Pitman on Oct. 14.

By then, the Pride (3-0), with a cast of new stars, should be ready for any challenge. The CCC has adopted a double round-robin format, shortening the league season while affording coaches more non-conference contacts. Pontes-Christian hasn’t wasted a single date, throwing her team to the wolves in the early going.

Pitman has toppled some of the Stanislaus District’s top teams in straight sets to start the season, including victories over three defending league champions: Hilmar (Foundation Game), Trans-Valley League; Enochs, Modesto Metro Conference; and Oakdale, Valley Oak League.

“I’m definitely happy with the four wins in three sets, but we have more to work on. That’s why it’s the preseason,” Pontes-Christian said. “We’re focused on improving every match and meeting our goals. Again, there are a lot of things I want to get accomplished before league starts, but we’re going in the right direction.”

There are new captains at the wheel.

Setter Kiyanna Torres is quickly developing a rhythm and chemistry with hitters Barnes and Kaylene Ureno, while senior captain Lauren Solis has solidified the libero position. Solis is a third-year varsity player with a rich bloodline. Her older sister, Ashley, was a four-year varsity player and is now starring at Cal State San Bernardino.

“Lauren is one of the most intelligent players of the game I’ve coached,” Pontes-Christian said. “She’s been studying it for so long that she’s become like a coach on the court.”

Six-foot sophomore Kaylin Randhawa provides a presence at the net. Her height and instincts helped stymie a Mustangs run during Game 2 of Wednesday’s match.

“Executing more plays. Making smarter choices. Those are things that will come with time, especially with a new group of girls,” Pontes-Christian said. “A good chunk of them have played together for a while now, but there are a few that haven’t. Hopefully, our team chemistry gets better.”

No pressure.

“This group works hard and they’re highly motivated,” she said. “They feel a little pressure, but it’s more excitement. They want to continue to be successful.”

This story was originally published September 11, 2015 at 5:35 PM with the headline "Pitman volleyball playing for more than just pride."