COS cheers on Olympic medalist Quincy Hall
The College of the Sequoias hosted a watch party in support of former Giants track and field star Quincy Hall at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
The 2024 Central Section High School volleyball season has officially begun.
Here’s a preview of each Tulare/Visalia team:
Christian Center
Head coach: Mike “Bucky” Kroeze, seventh season
Squad size: 13
Record 2023: 26-10 (lost to Clovis West in the Central Section Division II playoffs)
Influential players:Lola Highsteet, senior, middle blocker; Emma Mihalcin, junior, outside hitter; Emerson Kroeze, sophomore, setter
Highlights: CVC made the 2023 Central Section Division II postseason and also participated in the CIF State Division II tournament. The Cavaliers’ strengths this season are passing and serving. CVC brings some experience and size, led by the 6’2″ Highstreet. Mihalcin and Highstreet are the team’s two kill leaders. Highstreet had 194 kills last season and Mihalcin contributed 186. Highstreet also led the team with 70 blocks.
Croze: “Our team doesn’t just have one great player. We have a team that plays great together as a whole – no matter who is on the pitch.”
The Diamond
Head coach: Ken Clyburne, 27th season (eighth at El Diamante)
Squad size: 12
Record 2023: 12-17
More: Vote for the Tulare County Athlete of the Week for the week of August 26-30 – 10 selections
Influential players: Emma Taylor, senior, libero; Ashlynn Martinez, senior, middle blocker; Aubrey Huitt, sophomore, outside hitter; Elodee Taylor, sophomore, outside hitter; Maddy Mackenzie, junior, outside hitter; Joscelyn Pena, junior, setter; Megan Galhandro, senior, setter
Highlights: Clyburne, who has coached for a total of 32 years, expects his Miners to build on last season’s 12-win season. Taylor and Martinez return as experienced seniors. Martinez led El Diamante with 28 blocks last season and Taylor tied for the most digs on the team with 397. Huitt is one of the team’s best hitters this season after posting 157 kills during his breakthrough freshman season. Pena takes over as the team’s starting point guard in 2023 after dishing out 268 assists.
Clyburn: “The El Diamante 2024 volleyball team will be a fun group to watch. We will play hard from start to finish. We have some really strong seniors mixed with a lot of young, exciting players. I look forward to seeing this group progress throughout the season and expect good results. I appreciate that this new team has already become a close-knit group. That bond will show on the court and help produce great results.”
Golden West
Head coach: Kayla Swift, third season
Squad size: 11
Record 2023: 14–18 (lost to Fresno Christian in the Central Section Division IV semifinals)
Influential players:Riley Hendrix, senior, setter/counterattacker; Kimora Berry, senior, outside hitter; Sidney Yanes, junior, libero; Khianna Hardwick, senior, middle blocker; Karolyne Moran, freshman, setter/counterattacker
Highlights: Golden West is coming off a historic season, with the longest playoff run in program history and advancing to the semifinals. As a No. 11 seed, the Trailblazers posted two postseason victories last season, beating Caruthers and Dinuba to move one win away from the Central Section Division IV title. Hardwick and Hendrix are two of the best returners on this playoff team. Hendrix led Golden West with 625 assists last season.
Fast: “Every year is an exciting new beginning. I am inspired by the warmth and tireless attitude of this team. We may be small, but we are strong.”
Mission Oak
Head coach: Kortnee Faria, first season
Squad size: 13
Record 2023: 17–15 (lost to Independence in the Central Section Division III playoffs)
Influential players: Aurora Sotelo, senior, outside attacker; Braelyn Serpa, junior, setter; Hailey Sanchez, junior, libero
More: Tulare County football: Everything you need to know for the 2024 season
Highlights: Faria was hired in the summer but inherited a team that won 17 games last season and finished second in the West Yosemite League final standings. Sotelo was named to the All-WYL first team last season after leading his team in scoring with 360 kills and 66 aces. Serpa brings athleticism to the team as a three-sport athlete.
Faria: “Seeing them work together, have fun on the field and grow as a team is the joy of coaching. Every player on our team works hard, has a great attitude and strives to improve every day.”
Mount Whitney
Head coach: Victoria Johnson, Season 12
Squad size: 15
Record 2023: 5-23
Influential players: Dolores Carter, Junior, Outside Attacker; Jaydin Lopez, Senior, Libero; Jillian Morris, Sophomore, All-Arounder
Highlights: Johnson is one of the longest-tenured volleyball head coaches in Tulare County. Mt. Whitney will be led by Carter, Lopez and Morris this season. Carter was one of the team’s kill leaders last season and will take on another attacking role in 2024.
Johnson: “We have a young team with potential that wants to improve every day. The team is gaining confidence and chemistry.”
redwood
Head coach: Alana Montgomery, Season 12
Squad size: 14
Win-loss record 2023: 36-7 (CIF State Division III SoCal Regional champion; CIF State Division III runner-up)
Influential players: Andee May, junior, middle attacker; Grace Alipaz, senior; Payton Short, senior, setter/counterattacker; Katelynn May, sophomore, outside attacker
Highlights: Redwood is the defending East Yosemite League champion, having clinched the conference title with a perfect 10-0 season in the 2023 season. The Rangers also had a historic season last year, winning the CIF State Division III SoCal regional championship to advance to the state championship game. Montgomery, who returns to Redwood for her 12th season, leads a team carried by Andee and Katelynn May, Alipaz and Short. Andee May led last season’s championship team with 93 blocks and is expected to be the “quarterback of our offense.”
Montgomery: “Every season is unique. We look forward to seeing what this new Redwood team can accomplish. With only three players returning, we will rely heavily on their experience and the hard work ethic that typifies the Redwood culture to prepare us for a challenging season schedule.”
Tulare Union
Head coach: Jessica Pedro, first season
Squad size: 13Record 2023: 8-22
Influential players: Kailee Gilbert, senior, outside hitter; Ay’anna Jenkins, senior, middle blocker; Sophia Cardoza, senior, middle blocker; Eliana Guerrero, junior, setter; Jiannah Frietas, freshman, outside hitter
Highlights: Tulare Union has a new head coach this season in Pedro. Gilbert is one of Tulare County’s top student-athletes. She also plays basketball and softball and is a standout in three sports. Gilbert led the Tribe with over 100 kills last season.
Peter: “We are looking forward to this season and to reaching our full potential.”
Tulare Western
Head coach: Kaylee Taylor, 3rd season coach at Tulare Western
Squad size: 14
Record 2023: 25–14 (lost to Exeter in the Central Section Division II playoffs)
Influential players: Summer Parreira, senior, setter/outside hitter; Sam Vasquez, senior, outside hitter; Morgan DeCoito, senior, center/outside hitter; Madelyn Movsesian, senior, outside hitter; Jordyn Walker, sophomore, libero
Highlights: Tulare Western is the reigning WYL champion after going 9-1 in the conference in 2023. The Mustangs have five returning players this season and a younger roster that adds depth to their veterans. Vasquez is the team’s best killer after finishing third on the team in that category last season. Parreira will lead the offense as the Mustangs’ new starting setter.
Trainer: “I’m excited to have this team for the season. We may be young, but these ladies have the heart and passion to do great things.”
