Article by Conor Kelly
Video by Stevi Valenzuela
Starting with a 5-2 record, the Minarets High School Volleyball team has gotten off to a hot start this season and has big ambitions.
They have a very diverse core of players with several underclassmen playing during significant amounts of the game alongside more experienced juniors and seniors; this team looks set for success. If they do win the West Sequoia League, which is very likely, it would be the second year in a row and the 12th time in Minarets’ history.
However, this year’s team in particular has goals beyond finishing first in the league. We sat down with volleyball coach Karra Zamora and she explained, “My ultimate goal is for us to win the [Division 4] Valley Championship.”
So what makes this year’s team so successful? Veteran captains senior Melia Kamalani and junior Sarah Wold are probably the most experienced players and their leadership on the court is easy to spot. With Kamalani spiking rockets over the net time and time again, and Wold bringing great sets game in and game out, they bring energy and skill to the team.
The team’s main strength perhaps, is their defense, well demonstrated by Junior libero Delaeny Stevenson who brings effort and energy to every game by diving for balls and putting her body on the line for her team. The team’s young players like freshman middle blocker Violet Kelly, and sophomore outside hitter Macy Ellis have raw-talent and skill, but are still rapidly improving.
This is a team that should keep getting better throughout the season, especially by the time play-offs start.
Be sure to come out to their next home game on Thursday, Sept. 16, against Caruthers.
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