After a 9-day break since winning the Caruthers Raisin Harvest Festival Invitational on Sept. 10, the girls? volleyball team survived a scare in the second match to defeat Caruthers, 3-0, in their home opener on Sept. 20.

At the Caruthers Raisin Harvest Invitational Tournament, the team defeated Kingsburg, 25-19 and 25-9, in the final match. Sophomore Melanie Nachtigall played inspired volleyball and was among the three campus players chosen to the All-tournament team.

?I was not surprised at all that we won,? Kassy Batesole, ?06, said. ?Melanie’s focus and skills inspire us to work hard because when she is working hard and pushing herself we want to be doing the same.”

Regardless of losing their first game of the tournament to Kingsburg the team became inspired to showcase their talents. At the end of the tournament, Batesole and Tara Albrechtson, ?06, joined Nachtigall on the All-Tournament team.

?The team had a consistency that others did not,? Larry Orender, coach, said. ?I push them to be the best they can be, and they really play well together.

“Melanie is a real consistant attacker. She makes smart plays at the net and has recently added power to her varied attack. I’m glad that the other coaches at the tournament rewarded her consistant play with the All-Tournament award.?

As one of the youngest girls on the varsity, Nachtigall?s All-Tournament achievement gave her more motivation.

?I was actually surprised when I was chosen to be part of the All-tournament team,? Nachtigall said. ?I did not think it I would be chosen at all. Afterwards, though, I was mostly excited.?

Since elementary, Nachtigall loved to play volleyball. At every opportunity, she played in order to develop her skills. Her effort was displayed as she made the varsity team her freshmen year.

?When I was younger, I watched my sister [Michelle, ?04] playing on the volleyball team,? Nachtigall said. ?To me, it looked like a lot of fun. Once I started playing, I loved it. It was pretty cool when I made varsity, considering a freshmen on varsity is not that common.?

In addition to playing volleyball, Nachtigall also plays basketball. Though she did not play during junior high, she returned her freshman year.

?I like playing basketball,? Nachtigall said, ?but I think volleyball is still my favorite.?

Orender encourages the team to play their best game. Similar to the coach, the team believes all the girls play equally and each of their individual performances holds importance.

?There is no ?most valuable player? in our group,? Batesole said. ?We all worked equally hard and together we were able to win the tournament.?

To find out more about the girls? volleyball schedule, contact coach Orender through the office at 299-1695, ext. 5, or read other articles in this online newspaper.