Nadler, Rayfield lead Panthers' quest

By Dick Sparrer

For Sarah Nadler and Taylor Rayfield, losing is just not an option. At least, that's how it's been for the two Presentation seniors in their four years of involvement in the school's girls volleyball program.

Nadler and Rayfield each return for a fourth year on the varsity squad for the Panthers, and during that time Presentation has had a pretty good run of success.

The Panthers are coming off of a solid 32-9 season a year ago that included a second-place finish in the Mt. Hamilton Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League, a second in the Central Coast Section Division III and a third in Northern California.

"The Panthers will be looking to capture a third CCS title in four years," said Presentation coach Stephen Santonastaso, who returns for his fifth season as the Panthers' head coach. "Additionally, the team is looking at challenging for a NorCal title."

Nadler and Rayfield are veterans who will lead the Panthers in the pursuit of those lofty goals. Seniors Shannon Engle and Adriana LeBaron join them as Presentation leaders, each returning a third varsity campaign.

Juniors Katie Turley-Molony and Paris Raissinia and sophomore Therese Vinal are other top prospects for the Panthers.

Santonastaso figures that Los Altos, Los Gatos and St. Ignatius will be among the favorites in CCS Division III this fall.

"To prepare for this year's playoffs, we are playing in some of the top tournaments in the area," Santonastaso said. The Panthers will compete in the Mitty Invitational (Oct. 5-6), the Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions (Oct. 19-20) and the Presentation Panther Challenge (Oct. 27).

Nadler leads the Presentation attack. The 5-foot-11 outside hitter is a two-time all-leaguer who was the CCS freshman of the year in 1998.

Rayfield is a talented 5-foot-8 outside hitter, Engle a 5-foot-8 setter and LeBaron a 6-foot middle blocker.

Turley-Molony is a 6-foot middle blocker who returns for her junior season after winning sophomore of the year honors in the Mt. Hamilton Division last fall.

Raissinia, 6-foot, and Vinal, 5-foot-8, are both outside hitters for the Panthers.

Nicole Bowland, a 5-foot-11 middle blocker, is a sophomore transfer from Valley Christian expected to be an impact player for Presentation.

Juniors Lauren Petro, Julianna Fernandez, Dawn Stanley, Jackie Newman and Natalie Conte and sophomores Rochelle Ayala and Francesca Farinacci round out the squad for the Panthers this fall.

Presentation opened the year with back-to-back wins over Valley Christian and Leland in division play.

Nadler and LeBaron buried seven kills apiece to lead the Panthers to a 15-2, 15-1, 15-8 win over the Warriors, and Nadler had nine kills in the 15-0, 15-8, 15-12 win over the Chargers.

Around the Glen

Carl Heintze: Buying a new refrigerator saves on knee strain

Photo: Adopt-A-Pet

Sports Briefs

Willow Glen High School field hockey

Presentation High School volleyball

Something to say?