Anzar Hawks girls volleyball team forging a section dynasty
It’s one of the smallest schools in the Central Coast Section,
but in recent years it has also been one of the most prolific for
making the playoffs
– when it comes to girls volleyball that is.
Anzar Hawks girls volleyball team forging a section dynasty
It’s one of the smallest schools in the Central Coast Section, but in recent years it has also been one of the most prolific for making the playoffs – when it comes to girls volleyball that is.
Next week, the Anzar Hawks volleyball team, which finished second in the Mission Trail Athletic League behind King City, will be competing in the CCS Division V for the sixth year in a row.
The Hawks streak began in 2001, the same year that Chris Wardlaw and Mike Dorney began handling coaching duties at the small school in San Juan Bautista, which houses 380 students.
The following year the girls volleyball team not only made the playoffs but captured the school’s first-ever section title – a first in any sport.
This year Wardlaw believes that his 2006 squad is equally or even more talented than the 2002 team that won it all, but he understands that the road to the title will be much more difficult as a result of new numbers standards established by the section for defining Division V schools.
“This year’s team is probably the best team that we’ve ever had, but we still might not win the section,” said Wardlaw, who is also the school’s athletic director. “The cap on Division V schools used to be 400 students. Last year, CCS opened it up to 500. Schools like Castilleja and Sacred Heart Prep that are in the 460 student range will now be in our division, and they are both real strong programs.”
But even with that said, Wardlaw’s 2006 roster should be up to the challenge.
“In 2002 we had only one offensive star on the team but we were tough to beat,” said Wardlaw, who played setter and outside hitter during his college days at U.C. Davis. “Now, we have five girls who can hit the ball and put it away. We’re more versatile now and it’s a lot more difficult to game plan against us.”
This year the Hawks are led by senior outside hitter Emily Deleissegues. Deleissegues will head into the playoffs with more than 250 kills to her credit and some 500 digs. She also leads the Hawks in aces and service points won.
“She is clearly the best defensive player in the league. I’ve never had a better player on any of the teams that I’ve coached here,” Wardlaw said. “There may be some better players in the San Jose area, but she’s the best around here.”
Standing only 5-foot-7 but with a 24-inch vertical leap, Deleissegues has the ability to both block and drive home shots for points.
“I hate to use the cliche but having her is also like having an extra coach on the floor. Her metabolism is also incredible. It’s like she has a different energy level,” Wardlaw said.
Another player on the Hawks squad that is expected to give headaches to opposing coaches is middle blocker Christina Flores. Flores is second on the team in kills behind Deleissegues and leads the team, thanks in part to her 5-foot-10 frame, in her ability to block shots at the net. This season she has more than 50.
“She hits quick sets that are hard to defend against,” Wardlaw said. “She gets about three kills a game for us, which comes out to between 9 and 15 in a match.”
Another dominant physical presence up front this year has been Jessica Staley. An All-League basketball player last winter, the 6-foot-2 Staley opted to give volleyball a try this year.
“In just two months her improvement has been amazing,” Wardlaw said. “Her blocking is great and she keeps getting better and better.”
Despite her inexperience, Staley is fourth on the team this year in kill totals and second in blocking.
Heading into the playoffs Wardlaw knows that he’ll have to have all of these players firing on all cylinders if the Hawks are to reclaim the Division V title that they’ve sought for the past four seasons. But he also knows that half the battle is already won.
“Our team chemistry this year has been a big positive. In 2002 the team didn’t get along real well. This year, they all get along well. They pat each other on the back and they play smart as a team. That is a big plus for us.”
