Coronado girls test by first volleyball match against Centennial

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Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008 | midnight

After going 21-1 last year on its way to a Sunrise Regional title, the Coronado girls volleyball team is sporting a younger, less experienced roster as it looks to stay in contention.

Coronado coach Brock Mitchell said he wasn't sure what to expect when the Cougars took the court for their first game against Centennial on Sept. 4. The Cougars lost in three sets; 25-14, 25-15 and 25-18, but Mitchell said the match was a good test.

"It really is a new team so I think we benefitted from seeing them against good competition like Centennial," Mitchell said.

Mitchell said only returning seniors Mikayla Delobel and Cassie Baden saw significant playing time last year and will be called upon to lead inexperienced teammates.

"We're a young team but I think we work well on the court together," Delobel said

Green Valley volleyball off to 2-0 start

Green Valley High's girls volleyball team battled last year in arguably the area's toughest division, finishing with a 10-4 record in the Southeast before falling in the Sunrise Regional semifinals.

With seven returners, experience could be the key to a strong season, coach Erin Hill said, as the Gators are off to a solid start with wins over Las Vegas High and Sierra Vista.

"Everything is going well for us so far," Hill said. "We have a big team with 15 girls and they're playing good volleyball. They're very focused on being league champs. The majority of the team — the core —has been together for three years and we have five sophomores who will be stepping in to help."

The Gators started the season big, taking third in the Las Vegas Invitational with a 6-3 record. They kept the momentum going by sweeping the Wildcats and Mountains in three straight matches on Sept. 3 and 4, respectively.

Hill said she is expecting big things from seniors Megan Schiess, Sydney Brozovich and Kirsten Whitehead who will provide solid leadership as the Gators prepare for league play on Sept. 15.

Lake Mead volleyball optimistic

After two straight years of reaching the 1A state tournament semifinals, but failing to win a championship, Lake Mead Christian Academy's girls volleyball team has a new motto — "not this time"

The girls have started out the season 8-0 and won its first league game 2-0 against Lund on Sept. 5.

"This is definitely a team like I have never faced before," Eagles coach Diana Lewis said. "They can be down so far and still come back."

The Eagles biggest comeback came against defending class 1A champions Pahranagat Valley in the finals of the Pahrump Valley tournament on Aug. 31.

Lake Mead dropped the first two games against Pahranagat but rallied to win the match in five games to capture the eight-team tournament.

Eagles' sophomore outside hitter Ashley Newton earned most valuable player honors for the tournament.

Lewis said it was an important victory because Pahranagat Valley has owned the rivalry between the two teams.

"Pahranagat Valley was a huge win but we can't stop there," she said.

Liberty soccer looks for first win in two years

After struggling to a 0-31-1 record over the last two seasons, Liberty's boys soccer team looks to be in good shape to take a step forward this fall, Patriots coach Scott Tenenbaum said.

After taking the loss in their first game of the year, a 3-2 setback to Desert Oasis, Tenenbaum said he saw a number of encouraging signs from the Patriots.

They were ahead 2-0 at halftime, but stumbled in the second half because they only had one bench player.

"We were really dominating," Tenenbaum said. "When you're playing in 105 degree heat and you have one sub and your opponent has a full bench — that's tough."

Tenenbaum is in his third year with the Patriots and feels this is the year they will turn the corner.

"The guys we have now have bought into the program, they understand my goals and we're all on the same page," he said. "I expect them to come out with a good attitude, be responsible, keep a good work ethic and represent Liberty and themselves. They understand that and they've responded."

Tenenbaum is expecting big things from juniors Bryan Majano and Mario Heurta, who scored the Patriots' goals in their game against Desert Oasis.

Jared Harmon can be reached at 990-8922 or [email protected].