Lady Wolves volleyball has strong season

Volleyball team makes state quarterfinals
Posted on 11/24/2020
The EFHS varsity volleyball team

 

 

 

 

By John Coleman

The varsity girls’ volleyball team finished off their regular season with a tough loss against the number 1 team in the 4A conference, Notre Dame Prep. The same team knocked the Lady Wolves out of the state playoffs in the quarterfinals. Regardless of the losses, the Lady Wolves were 10-3 in the regular season. Last season, the Lady Wolves were the State runners-up in 4A, after losing a tough 5-set game to Greenway High School. Coach Gonzales and the team were expecting to make it back to the state title game this year.

Reflecting on the regular season, Coach Gonzales was most pleased with the depth of the team. “We have a strong group of girls on the bench who can very well be starters and have at some point,” Coach Gonzales said. The team is relatively young and still developing, which is good news for the volleyball program’s future. Of the 13 players, 9 will be looking to earn a varsity spot again next season.

The depth and competitiveness of the team earned the Lady Wolves a bid into the 4A playoffs and the program’s third straight region championship. The playoffs were in the forefront of the team’s minds. When asked about the road back to the state championship game, Coach Gonzales had this to say: “Our expectations for a state run are high. The girls are very competitive, work hard, and set very high standards for themselves.”

The team is full of contributors, but there are a few names that really stood out this season. Nayeli Mancilla, the 4-year varsity setter, showed great consistency and reliability throughout her high school career. Nayeli has been a great role model to sophomore setter Raegan Moran, who has a bright future in leading the Lady Wolves in the upcoming years. Junior Emma Barber and sophomore Angelee Bawek have been strong outside hitters for the Lady Wolves as well as primary passers. Emma won Region Player of the Year for the second straight season. Junior right side, Sara Betts, has shown great consistency blocking throughout the year and is also a great threat hitting from the right. At the libero position, senior Vanessa Sanchez Manzo has taken great strides and been a leader in the back row. Freshman middle Aubrey Goodere and senior middle Alyssa Charlton have also been outstanding both offensively and defensively up at the net.

Congratulations to varsity and the rest of the program on a great regular season. The JV Blue volleyball team finished 10-1 on the season, and the JV Black volleyball team had an undefeated record of 12-0.