 |
|
|
|
|
Encouraging start up for Fremont
'Potential' excites volleyball coach
By Dick Sparrer
Michelle Wagner wasn't quite sure what to expect when she stepped in as a first-year coach to take over the boys varsity volleyball team at Fremont.
Then the Firebirds gave her a little preview--they finished second at the Branham Tournament on March.
And while there is still work to do before Fremont gets into the rugged pace in the De Anza Division of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League, Wagner is encouraged about her squad's chances.
"The team still has quite a bit to work on in terms of refining techniques and speeding up the tempo of their game," said Wagner. "But we are excited about our potential and hope to have it all put together by the time league starts."
"We are especially excited after our second-place finish [at Branham]," she added.
The Firebirds will be back in tourney action when they compete in the King's Academy Tournament in Sunnyvale on March 24, then they open league play March 27, 7 p.m., at Saratoga.
"The keys to our season will be how well we execute our team defense, running a balanced attack and staying healthy," she said, adding, "The team's goal is to make the playoffs."
Leading the Firebirds in that race to the playoffs will be varsity returners Adam Colombo, Kevin Elliott, Lance Lesui, Mike Pasenteau and Adam Storek.
Colombo, a 6-foot junior setter, will lead the Fremont offensive effort this spring.
"We will try to run our offense around him completely this year," said Wagner.
Storek, a 6-foot-1 senior middle blocker, is another important member of the squad's offensive attack.
"He plays primarily in the front row for us," said Wagner of Storek. "His middle attack will be a key to our offense."
Lesui, a 5-foot-6 sophomore, is back for his second year on the Fremont varsity, and Wagner is impressed with his versatility.
"He will be a big part of our team this year," said Wagner of Lesui, a outside hitter and setter. "His all-around game is great and we hope to make him a big part of our offense."
Pasenteau, a 6-foot-2 junior outside hitter, is another solid returner for the Firebirds.
"[Pasenteau] played back-row for the most part last year, but he is now playing all the way around for us," said the coach. "He is a great passer and defensive player."
Fremont will have to open the season without Elliott. The 6-foot-3 senior middle blocker is still recovering from shoulder surgery and isn't expected back on the court until April.
Middle blockers David Evans (6-foot-3 sophomore) and Daniel McNeil (6-foot-2 junior) and outside hitters John Seo (5-foot-11 junior) and Randall Polgar (5-foot-8 freshman) round out the Fremont squad.
"[Evans] played last year and should help us a great deal with our middle attack this year," said Wagner. "[And Seo] has moved up from the junior varsity and will be a help to our back-row defense."
Polgar is the youngest of the Firebirds. Like Lesui last year, Polgar is a freshman on the Fremont varsity.
"He is very athletic and versatile and can help with many roles on the team," said Wagner of the freshman.
Wagner is also a newcomer to varsity volleyball at Fremont. A first-year teacher at the school, she coached the junior varsity girls team in the fall and has coached girls club volleyball for three years.
Mustangs fall
The boys volleyball team at Homestead lost a nonleague decision last week. The Mustangs slipped to 1-4 in the young season with a loss to Mitty. Homestead won the first game 15-5, but lost the next three 15-5, 15-9, 15-12. Josh Cavin led the Mustangs with 15 kills in the match.
Split for King's
It was a similar story for the King's Academy. The Knights opened with a tight 16-14 win over Willow Glen, but then lost three straight to the Rams 15-6, 15-8, 17-15.
The Knights, 1-2 this year, had opened the week with a 15-7, 15-9, 15-11 victory over Crystal Springs Upland.
|
|
|
|
Sunnyvale, California Since 1994
