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Cowgirls ready for best of volleyball seasons
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Ainslee S. Wittig/Range News Shilene Foreman bumps the volleyball during a recent practice as the team readies itself for the coming season. |
By Carol Broeder/Arizona Range News
The Willcox High School Girls' Volleyball team is looking forward to a great year, citing elements such as athleticism and team unity.
Coach Todd DeBaun said the team has 20 people and managers this year, with eight returning players and four freshmen.
"We have a group of kids that played club ball," he said. "We had a great off-season, and a great summer. We played in the University of New Mexico tournament the end of July, and took second out of 17 teams. We lost to a 4A school - we played them down to the wire and lost."
DeBaun said most of his players are back this year.
"The major contributors for this team all play together and don't feel they're above anybody else," he said. "This team has a great attitude and a great work ethic, which helped us to do stuff different."
DeBaun doesn't plan to make any cuts to the roster.
"If kids want to play, we'll find a spot for them," he said. "I'm really proud of the coaches, and proud of the kids. I'm proud of the way everyone has worked together."
DeBaun's coaching staff is Andrea Franco, who played for him, and Diane Dunaway, who is from Michigan.
"We want to have lots of fans. We want to come out, win and have fun," DeBaun said. "I'm extremely proud of this group no matter what happens."
The enthusiasm fifth-year coach DeBaun brings to the sport is contagious, as evident in the comments made by the team's senior classmen.
"I think we have a good team with lots of athleticism and a good attitude. Last year we had some struggles, but we are able to learn from them to make this year better,"" said LeAnna Thom, 17, a senior who hopes to play volleyball in college.
"I want to get as good as I can get before I go to college," she told the Range News.
Asked about her goals this year, Stephanie Saldana, 17, said "just to do our best and come together as a team my last year, because I've never seen it. My goal is also to take state."
"We have a really talented group of girls, and a good chemistry together," she said.
"With those two elements, we'll be able to make a good season out of it, win or lose."
"I think it's awesome that Coach DeBaun brought us in so much more to learn. He's elevated it to a new level," said Susie Solares, 17.
"This is the best year so far," she said. "My goals are to be a little more focused and to help create a better atmosphere for the team. We have a better team unity this year."
"My goal is to get my hitting down," said Jessica Pacheco, 17. "I want to have strong hitting."
As for the team, Pacheco says, "I think we're really strong this year. We have good friendship and we're really close."
The team lost its home opener against Pusch Ridge Monday night.
Today's games start at 4 p.m. versus Sahuarita at the high school gymnasium, with tomorrow's beginning at 3 p.m. in Lordsburg.
Coach DeBaun and all four of the seniors are asking the community of Willcox to turn out for their games.
Perhaps Saldana said it best, echoing the sentiments of her fellow seniors.
"They should come out and support us as much as they can. If they want a good team, someone to represent Willcox properly, then they need to come out to the games," she said.
"We can't pull it off by ourselves. We need support."
Coach Todd DeBaun said the team has 20 people and managers this year, with eight returning players and four freshmen.
"We have a group of kids that played club ball," he said. "We had a great off-season, and a great summer. We played in the University of New Mexico tournament the end of July, and took second out of 17 teams. We lost to a 4A school - we played them down to the wire and lost."
DeBaun said most of his players are back this year.
"The major contributors for this team all play together and don't feel they're above anybody else," he said. "This team has a great attitude and a great work ethic, which helped us to do stuff different."
DeBaun doesn't plan to make any cuts to the roster.
"If kids want to play, we'll find a spot for them," he said. "I'm really proud of the coaches, and proud of the kids. I'm proud of the way everyone has worked together."
DeBaun's coaching staff is Andrea Franco, who played for him, and Diane Dunaway, who is from Michigan.
"We want to have lots of fans. We want to come out, win and have fun," DeBaun said. "I'm extremely proud of this group no matter what happens."
The enthusiasm fifth-year coach DeBaun brings to the sport is contagious, as evident in the comments made by the team's senior classmen.
"I think we have a good team with lots of athleticism and a good attitude. Last year we had some struggles, but we are able to learn from them to make this year better,"" said LeAnna Thom, 17, a senior who hopes to play volleyball in college.
"I want to get as good as I can get before I go to college," she told the Range News.
Asked about her goals this year, Stephanie Saldana, 17, said "just to do our best and come together as a team my last year, because I've never seen it. My goal is also to take state."
"We have a really talented group of girls, and a good chemistry together," she said.
"With those two elements, we'll be able to make a good season out of it, win or lose."
"I think it's awesome that Coach DeBaun brought us in so much more to learn. He's elevated it to a new level," said Susie Solares, 17.
"This is the best year so far," she said. "My goals are to be a little more focused and to help create a better atmosphere for the team. We have a better team unity this year."
"My goal is to get my hitting down," said Jessica Pacheco, 17. "I want to have strong hitting."
As for the team, Pacheco says, "I think we're really strong this year. We have good friendship and we're really close."
The team lost its home opener against Pusch Ridge Monday night.
Today's games start at 4 p.m. versus Sahuarita at the high school gymnasium, with tomorrow's beginning at 3 p.m. in Lordsburg.
Coach DeBaun and all four of the seniors are asking the community of Willcox to turn out for their games.
Perhaps Saldana said it best, echoing the sentiments of her fellow seniors.
"They should come out and support us as much as they can. If they want a good team, someone to represent Willcox properly, then they need to come out to the games," she said.
"We can't pull it off by ourselves. We need support."
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