GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: 2011 MHS Preview

The Milpitas High girls volleyball team won 13 games in 2010.

With a pair of 6-foot juniors to hold down the fort in the middle of the floor, this year’s version of Trojans girls volleyball will have plenty new faces all across the lineup.

Seven seniors were lost to graduation, including key contributors Felicia Salazar, Erin Fisher, Anita Hall and Kuuipo Namahoe.

Most coaches might go ahead and call the following season a building year, but with young players in the program a year older and a handful of junior varsity players now ready to tackle the varsity level, the change has longtime head coach Jeff Lamb excited about the possibilities ahead.

“Every year you lose some important players at this level,” Lamb said. “We lost some quality players from last season, but I really think we’ll take a step forward overall this year.”

As sophomores Pilar Ferguson and Taylor Davis were brought along slowly, groomed to one day rule the net in the middle for the Trojans. One year later, the coaching staff has high hopes for the pair.

“They’re juniors with a lot more experience now,” Coach Lamb said. “We haven’t had much size around here the past few years. We’ll have a much bigger lineup this season.”

Jacqueline Lamb and Stephanie Pati, senior team captains for Milpitas this fall, both will move to the outside in the lineup to replace outside hitters that were lost to graduation.

“I think a lot of the new girls can help us right away,” Jacqueline Lamb said. “Obviously, we were a little height challenged last year. Taylor and Pilar will help us a lot.”

The Trojans finished the 2010 season with a 13-21 record overall and a 7-5 mark in Santa Clara Valley Athletic League El Camino Division play.

League champ and perennial thorn in the Trojans side, Gunn High-Palo Alto, has moved up to the De Anza league in 2011.

Saratoga High will take the Titans place in the El Camino and should prove to be an early season favorite to contend for a league crown.

“Were just trying to get to know each other on and off the court right now,” Pati said about the adjustment process with the new group.  I think it’s getting better every day. We know we need to be ready once the season gets going.”

Julissa Rivera, the Trojans top defensive player a year ago, returns to start at libero. Julia Regalado also is back and will see time at setter and defensive specialist.

“How will play early in the season is important,” Coach Lamb said. “We gave Gunn a heck of a game early in the season last year. I think if we would have won that game, the season could have turned out different than it did.”

The Trojans kick off the 2011 campaign on Thursday at home against visiting Silver Creek High-San Jose. The match is slated to begin at 6:45 p.m.