Aptos-Salinas volleyball

While most first year coaches like to install a little confidence in their system, Chloe Goldman went out and decided to test it against some of the area's top programs.
 After opening the season with a five-set thriller over Soquel, Salinas will face defending Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League champion Aptos tonight.
 Owners of four straight SCCAL titles and seven of the last eight, Aptos reached the State Northern California Division III semifinals last fall.
 Of course, these matches might be considered pop quizzes to what lies in front of the Cowboys, who will visit reigning CCS DV champion Santa Catalina next Tuesday.
 Goldman's competitive natural is rubbing off on her teammates. A former Herald Volleyball MVP, the 2006 Salinas graduate was a four-year standout at the University of Tennessee.
 Of course, Goldman doesn't have a bare cupboard to work with as Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo bound Taylor Rose owns the net alongside 6-foot-4 junior middle Savanna Maker.
 Rose compiled 23 kills in the teams opener while Maker chipped in with 11. Rose also had 29 digs while Kameron MacDonald tallied 14 digs. As a team, the Cowboy picked up 94 digs.
 Aptos is looking to rebound after falling in its opener to defending CCS DV champion Monte Vista. Returning all-leaguer Jillian Rodriguez led the team in kills last fall.