Seniors spark Santa Clara revival

Seniors spark Santa Clara revival » Ventura County Star
By Loren Ledin

Hungry for success? The Santa Clara High girls’ volleyball program might be better described as downright ravenous.
The combined record the previous three seasons is 7-42, including 0-17 in 2006 and 2-14 in 2007. The last playoff berth came in 2000.
Now comes the turnaround.
Buoyed by a core group of eight strong seniors, Santa Clara started the week a heady 9-3, including 5-1 in the Frontier League. Last week’s 3-0 sweep over Villanova Prep gave the Saints control of second place in the league chase and set up a showdown on Thursday with first-place Nordhoff.
The playoff drought will end in two weeks. With a win over Nordhoff this week, Santa Clara would likely end up a co-champion.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve had a team this good,” says Mike Arnold, Santa Clara’s coach since 1995. “We’ve got a strong senior group that was determined to have a good season. They wanted to go out as winners.”
Among the team leaders have been two club players. Senior outside hitter Rachael Valovcin leads the Saints with 114 kills and junior setter Kelli Russell has 132 assists, 29 digs and 134 service points.
Balance has also been a key. Senior Vanessa Flores has a team-high 46 blocks and 35 kills, junior Heaven Silvera has 87 kills and 43 service aces and senior Mykella Kershaw has 76 assists and 134 service points.
“It’s a close group,” said Arnold. “They were confident coming into the season that this could be a good year. Our top goal this year was to make the playoffs, and it looks like that is going to happen. To finish first or second in the league would be a big deal.”
Toppling defending champion Nordhoff would be no small achievement. The Rangers won the first meeting at Santa Clara in four games, 21-25, 25-23, 25-7, 25-17.
“Our girls know we’ve got to play a great match,” said Arnold.
No matter what occurs with Nordhoff, the Saints could be in for an extended run in postseason.
“It’s going to be one match at a time,” said Arnord. “I want our girls to have fun and enjoy the experience.”
Oaks on a roll: As one of four ranked teams in its own Tri-Valley League — including defending champion and last year’s CIF-Southern Section Division II-A runnerup La Reina — Oaks Christian has been decidedly under the radar this season.
But the Lions are headed into a monumental stretch that could thrust them into the spotlight.
Oaks Christian owns a share of first place in league at 9-1 (17-5 overall) and would claim sole possession of the league’s top spot with a victory Thursday night at La Reina (9-1, 19-4). Oaks Christian handed La Reina its only defeat in league with a four-game victory on Oct. 6.
Lions coach George Hees said he’s enjoying the ride.
“I love the competition,” he said. “If you earn a playoff berth in this league, you’re definitely ready for the playoffs.”
Hees said his players have made the adjustment to life in a uber-competitive league.
“There are so many big matches,” he said. “I think the first time around the league it was tough for them. But they’re learning that they have to be ready to play every night.”