As the team practices, energy, enthusiasm and determination fuel the girls. During a recent scrimmage game, players reaching for the ball yell, "I go, I go" while others assume cheerleading roles, saying, "Let's go, ladies."

*Practice Makes Perfect: Kelsey Roseland, 16, (left) a Willow Glen High School junior and middle blocker, has practiced long hours with her teammates to reach the playoffs. Teammates Janelle Calderon (center) and Analisa Baum (right) scrimmage with Roseland.

Although the girls varsity team has accomplished two goals—becoming league champions and winning its first round in the CCS Division III playoffs on Nov. 16—its ultimate goal is becoming playoff champs.

The WGHS Rams ended the season 12-2, making them first place in the Santa Teresa Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League and seeded six out of 12 teams in the playoffs.

Prior to the 2001 season, the last WGHS girls varsity volleyball team to win their division was 13 years ago, in 1988. Qualification to enter CCS is based on points accumulated during league games—and league champions such as WGHS are automatically entered.

But even if the team doesn't realize their dream—a CCS win—they will be recognized for the various school records they've broken this season. They are the first WGHS girls volleyball team to win first place in the league two consecutive seasons in a row, and several players—Julia Garrotto, Jenny Estruth, Kelsey Roseland and Karina Estrada—have broken school records in aces, kills, assists and digs.

Coach Travis Warner attributes this team's success to good defense. With the tallest player standing 5 feet 9 inches, the team is relatively short compared to other teams, he says.

"For some reason this team doesn't step down," says Warner, who has coached at WGHS for three years. "It doesn't matter how big the team is we play. We manage to keep the ball alive."

Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer Mine! WGHS senior and middle blocker Arianne Kolar, 17, is anxious for her team to get past the first round in the CCS Division III playoffs and help her fellow seniors wash away the memories of last year's playoff loss.

The team's exceptional chemistry has also been a major contributing factor. The players have been together for two seasons, playing in high school and on a club, says Estruth, who has played volleyball for seven years.

"We have become a close-knit unit," says Estruth, who plans to play volleyball at either Vassar College in New York or Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania. "Something we have in common is we all love volleyball above boys and some more than school."

Although they lost seven seniors last year, extensive practice has contributed to the team's success. Playing together from late November to the beginning of the summer helped new and returning varsity players get acquainted, and the team conditioned from late July until the season started on Aug. 19.

"This is a hardworking program," Estruth says. "We do lots of running and play on the sand volleyball courts, which the WGHS girls and boys volleyball teams built outside the gym. Many other teams don't work out to this extent."

Practicing for 10 hours per week, the team has developed a rhythm. They know where team members are on the court and how to communicate who gets the ball during certain plays, says co-captain Garrotto, who was voted most valuable player by the team last year.

But sometimes there is miscommunication. During the last game of the season, Garrotto and setter Estrada were injured in the same play. While jumping to get the ball, Garrotto landed on someone's foot and sprained her ankle.

Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer Sprain Pain: During a match against Los Altos High School, outside hitter Julia Garrotto, 17, injured her ankle. She is forced to sit on the sidelines.

Since the team began winning early in the season, it has acquired a loyal following. During games, the bleachers are filled with students, teachers and parents, and Warner has teachers "excited" about the team's winning season by updating game information on the white board in the teachers' conference room, Garrotto says.

"We have an unusually high turnout for volleyball," says Roseland, a junior, who was voted last year's most valuable player in the league. "Football is huge at other schools, but we have really strong and spirited fan support."

The school has acknowledged the team during fall sports rallies, and boys volleyball members, who play in the spring, faithfully attend the girls games.

"A lot of the girls go to the boys games, and the boys go to the girls games," Roseland says. "Not because we're told to but we want to."

Players attribute the team morale to their coach and getting along on a personal basis. Because Warner, also the math teacher, is young, "he is cool and we can talk to him about anything," Garrotto says. "Other teams complain about their coach, but we don't. We can trust him with anything."

Teammates also talk to each other about everything in order to resolve conflicts. Serina Anaya recalls one practice when the team did not touch the volleyball because they had other things on their mind. Instead, they sat and talked about personal issues and how to improve their game.

"We're not like other teams because we all get along great," says Anaya, a senior.

It is her first year on the varsity team.

Gary Morrow says that when he watches his daughter Jenna play, he can tell the team members are having fun and are supportive of one another.

Estruth says the game has benefited her in many ways.

"It has taught me how to manage time, because it's a huge commitment. You have to get organized to finish homework," she says. "Team sports teach girls skills like how to work as a team."

But, like the previous season, seven seniors are graduating, and many are key starters. Warner remains optimistic, however.

"It will be tough to win league again," Warner says. "But we have a solid squad of returning players and some strong players moving up from junior varsity, so I think we will be able to improve and have a pretty decent showing."

For Estruth the past two years on the squad were about more than just playing volleyball—the experience was also about earning the respect of the school and the community, she says.

"I really wanted volleyball to be considered a good sport at this school," Estruth says. "Sports at Willow Glen are not respected by other schools in the area, so we're out to prove them wrong. I think we have started something."

WGHS girls varsity volleyball plays Los Altos High School in the second round of the CCS on Nov. 21 at 8 p.m. at Valley Christian High School, 100 Skyway Drive.