Rams more experienced, but still short on numbers
Gilroy – For the Gavilan women’s volleyball team, in its second season, there is just one way to go – up.
And yet with an opening-day roster that numbered 8, depth figures to be a problem. Second-year coach Stephanie Pascucci was hopeful that the two players who showed up at practice on the first day of school would stick with the team. But she was prepared to go forward with a team that is more experienced than last year.
“Last year, I had five women who never played before,” Pascucci said. “I’m excited this year because everyone has experience. I think we can compete.”
The Rams showed they could be competitive in the Foothill Scrimmage Tournament last weekend. The nine teams played each other once in a 30-point game, and Pascucci reports that Gavilan went 3-5. The Rams opened the regular season, falling to Diablo Valley College 30-22, 30-27, 30-21. Heather Harms led the way with six kills and six digs.
“We didn’t start off as well as we would like,” Pascucci said. “We have plenty of room for improvement.”
Pascucci, who grew up in Cerritos, was a three-year starter at San Jose State as a middle blocker. She was first-team all-Western Athletic Conference her senior year when she also was named Top Female Scholar-Athlete. Pascucci coached two years at San Jose State while earning her Masters degree in Sports Management.
“We need to go through our practices and hope nobody gets hurt,” Pascucci said. “With no depth, even if someone is not having a good game they have to fight through it since there might not be an available sub.”
Gavilan opens the home portion of the season this weekend when it hosts Merced College at 6:30pm Friday and Feather River College at noon Saturday.
Gavilan Roster
Malie Ka ‘Anatu, soph., setter; Shanna Silveira, soph., outside hitter; Jenny Sowels, frosh., middle blocker; Heather Harms, soph., middle blocker; Barbie Csore, frosh., outsider-middle hitter; Janet Unziano, frosh., right side-setter; Brianna Balanesi, frosh., defensive specialist; Melissa Gaxiola, frosh., defensive specialist.
Schedule
(all matches 6:30pm unless noted)
September
8, Merced College; 9, Feather River College, noon; 13, at Monterey Peninsula College; 15, Skyline College; 20, at Foothill College; 22, at Contra Costa College; 27, Hartnell College.
October
4, at Canada College; 6, Cabrillo College; 7, at Merced Tournament, all day; 11, West Valley College; 13, at San Jose City College; 18, De Anza College; 20, at Ohlone College; 25, at Cabrillo College.
November
1, Canada College; 3, at West Valley College; 8, at Chabot College; 10, San Jose City College; 15, Ohlone College.
