Save your apples Sir Isaac — this one is simple science.
Like the earth and sun, the success of Riverbank High’s varsity volleyball team will revolve around five key seniors.
Should they aim for the stars, they may just orbit a bright season in the Trans-Valley League.
Riverbank returns middle blocker Toni Adams, setter Allexandra Heredia, libero Brittany Cody, outside hitter Chloe Arnold and outside hitter Kendra Garcia.
The fantastic five will resume key roles on the Bruin court, alongside returning middle blocker, Karina Cajero (junior). Depth is an issue, but everyone should play.
“We have a smaller team this year (12 players), and all 12 are valuable,” Riverbank coach Lisa Haskins said. “Over the summer we have been lifting and conditioning, and we are coming into this season stronger than we have ever been.”
Haskins said she was impressed with the leadership of her two senior captains, Garcia and Arnold. Behind their motivation, the team has already progressed from its offseason form.
“This year our team is very close and works together very well,” Haskins said. “Our serving is definitely a strength.
“We are working on talking more on the court and coverage.”
Haskins pulled up sophomores Sierra Nabors (setter) and Savannah Pulido (libero) to join a cast that also includes juniors Kenia Medina, Alejandra Villagomez, Gracie Walker and Natalia Villapudua.
The entire roster will be heavily utilized during TVL play.
“We have a very tough conference, but there are a lot of changes this year with coaches and players,” Haskins said. “We are one of the only teams returning most of our starters.
“We lost Amy McDonald (2012 senior captain), but my young players are stepping up and ready to fill her shoes.”
Haskins said the volleyball players are in (advanced placement) classes and hope to have the highest cumulative grade point average of all fall sports.
The Lady Bruins opened the preseason with a win over Grace Davis, but fell to highly regarded Linden and Enochs on Sept. 5 and 7. The team faced Delhi on Monday, though results were not available at press time. Riverbank is at Johansen on Thursday, Sept. 12.
