No program in the history of volleyball in Monterey County has put together a two-year run like the Coguars did in going 54-2 -- 42-0 in the regular season.
No program was more depleted this off season by graduation and moves than the Cougars, who have four new starters in the rotation for today's opener against Monterey.
Not only did Santa Catalina loss three starters to graduation, two of which are playing at the Division I level this fall, but arguably the hardest hitter in the area moved to Florida in Maria Santos.
And while few will feel sorry for the Cougars after their record setting run -- the only program in the county to go undefeated in a regular season -- their will be growing pains in the Gabilan Division.
The program has been gutted. You don't replace those type of players overnight. It's a process, one that head coach Paul Elliott understands and perhaps cherishes the challenge.
Monterey is a program on the rise, using the momentum established in reaching the playoffs last fall to get off to a 3-0 start this season.
Aria Adams has fed off of sets from Elle Mitchell to compile 33 kills this season for Monterey, while Angelica DeGuzman has been outstanding in the back row in igniting the offense.
John Devine has been writing about high school sports in Monterey County since, well, practically since he was an athlete at King City in the days just after leather helmets. In PrepNation, John has even more in-depth analysis of the latest results and news he's brought to you in The Herald and in his weekly videos.
Follow Me
The Monterey County Herald reserves the right to edit posts and delete any comments that violate the Terms of Service & Privacy Agreement.
No comments:
Post a Comment