While many students hit the road for vacation, 18 girls dedicated their bodies to strenuous workouts over summer break. Coach Larry Orender?s regimen of 5,000 jumps and 45 suicide sprints finalized the selections for the varsity volleyball team.

With seven returning players and four rookies, the team expects to face a challenging season. Last year the girls placed first in the annual Caruthers Raisin Harvest Tournament and went on to become undefeated West Sierra League champions. After loosing two valuable players, the coach still expects the team to perform at a competitive level.

?Loosing two players is just a fact of life and I will not lower my expectations,? Orender said. ?As long as the girls work as hard as they can and play to their potential, I will be satisfied.?

With less than a week away from the 2006 Caruthers Tournament, the girls are anxious to see their competition on Sept. 6 and 9.

?I am really nervous and excited about the tournament next week,? Jessica Berg, ?07, said. ?As a senior I hope the team will stay energized and fight for every point.?

According to Orender, the team desires another victory at the preseason tournament, but win or lose the team?s main focus is to gain experience, work on fundamentals and learn from their mistakes.

?Our intentions for the tournament is to serve tough and improve,? Orender said. ?Winning is just Eagle icing on the cake.?

Along with the experienced players, the newcomers also feel the pressure to prove themselves to the team.

?I?m a little nervous about the tournament because I don?t want to let the team down,? Quinn Livingston, ?10, said. ?Even though the competition doesn?t intimidate me, I still need to concentrate on the game and set hittable balls.?

For more information about the tournament and upcoming volleyball games, visit highschoolsports.net.

For the 2006 girls’ volleyball schedule, click here on Sports Schedules and/or go to the menu bar on the right.