‘We want to continue the legacy.’ El Capitan High closing in on CCC girls volleyball title
With only four returning players and seven sophomores on the roster, the El Capitan High School girls volleyball team faced some obvious obstacles this season.
Who would step up as the go-to players after losing eight seniors from last year’s team that finished 28-5 overall and 12-0 in the Central California Conference?
How would the sophomores handle to jump to varsity?
The Gauchos have answered every question with so far, so good.
In its most recent match, El Capitan swept Merced 25-22, 25-18, 25-15 on Wednesday night at Merced High School to again sit alone atop the CCC standings.
The Gauchos improved to 18-8 overall and are 8-1 in the CCC as they close in on their third consecutive conference championship with three CCC matches left this season.
“We had an absolutely amazing team last year,” said Felicity Parker, who is the lone senior on the team. “This year, we have a younger team. You’re more insecure when you’re younger, but we have the skills, we have the mentality, and we play together.”
Added junior Chloe Grever: “We want to continue the legacy.”
Parker and Grever, El Capitan captains, led the way against the Bears, with Grever recording a team-high 11 kills and Parker adding 10 kills and three blocks.
“Those two are our go-to players,” coach Chela Moreno said. “We lost a lot of seniors from last year and Chloe and (Felicity) have stepped up. Chloe was used to just playing middle and Felicity isn’t used to being set up all the time.”
Moreno credits all the players buying into the program. They were able to come together quickly because everyone was involved in the offseason program. The younger players were able to adjust to the speed of the game and the returning players were able to get familiar with their new teammates.
The Gauchos will use as many as 11 players in their rotation at times, which keeps her players fresh and it means she counts on a roster full of players to contribute.
“Last year we probably played seven player, our hitters were back-row players,” Moreno said. “This year our hitters need to have passers. I think it’s helped us gel together and the players have had to share equal responsibility. Everyone has to play their part for the team.”
Sophomore Sophie Fernandez recorded 21 assists and 19 digs and is asked to orchestrate the offense each match as the setter. Sophomore Colette Collins picked up 16 digs and helps anchor the defense as the libero.
The Gauchos were cruising through league before suffering their first hiccup on Monday in a 3-0 loss to Atwater.
Suddenly, El Capitan found itself in a race with the Falcons and Bears just one game behind in the standings.
Moreno says the program’s past success does put pressure to continue competing for league championships.
“There’s a ton of pressure and that’s why I think Monday’s loss was a big eye-opener for some of the girls,” Moreno said. “We are everyone’s biggest target.”
Grever said it was an opportunity to regroup and refocus for their team.
“Our energy and communication was much better (against Merced),“ Grever said. “We were all ready to play, we all had each other’s back.”
Another CCC championship is the goal for this team and it’s well within reach.
“I think it would mean a lot to us because we’ve worked hard all season,” Parker said. “It’s my senior year, so me and all the younger players want to continue the legacy.”
