Today the girls’ varsity volleyball team will face off against Lutheran High School at the Asian Sports Complex in Roseville. In the absence of coach Jason Kreps, athletic director Matt Vargo will coach the team.
On Oct. 30 the Cavaliers will take on the Buckingham Charter Knights in a critical game at home. This season, Country Day lost to the Knights during an away game in a tight five-match loss, Sept. 19.
But Kreps expects a different outcome this time.
“We weren’t on our game when we played them last time,” he said. “Home court advantage is huge, and I think we can win if we have the crowd behind us.”
The Cavaliers experienced a similar effect after a three-set away loss to Valley Christian, Sept. 24. When they played them again at home, Oct. 9, with a cheering section helping them, they tamed the Lions in a dramatic five-set victory.
The girls have also hit a few bumps in the road, one being a 3-1 loss to Woodland Christian at Homecoming, Oct. 12.
“We needed to play a good team in a loud environment, because this is the setting we will see in playoffs,” Kreps said.
With a league record of 7-2, the Cavs are rolling into a playoff berth. Their resume also includes placing first in the Carmichael Invitational Volleyball Tournament in the small high school division of 12 teams.
“We all stick together because all of us are committed. And I think that this will help us to do well in the playoffs,” senior Jianna Gudebski said.
“Our goal for the rest of the season is to sharpen our skills and overall team play to get ready for playoffs,” Kreps said.
JV Volleyball
Girls’ junior varsity volleyball will compete in their last league game against the Buckingham Christian Knights today.
The Cavs’ league record is now 3-2.
They have beaten Buckingham once and Valley Christian twice, and they lost twice to Faith Christian.
All eight members are freshmen. The team’s two best players, sophomore Caroline Mehta and freshman Sydney Michel, have been moved up to varsity, leaving coach Sarah Song a brand-new lineup.
“We felt (Mehta) would benefit as an individual from the intense varsity-level practices,” Song said. “Yes, the JV team could have benefited from having (Michel) and (Mehta), but the coaches take into consideration what is best for the entire program and the individual student-athlete.”
Freshman Leslie Young is pleased with how the team has done so far.
