Cal High Girls Volleyball Preview: Consistency Key for Grizzlies

School:  California High School

Sport: Girls volleyball

Coach: Todd Baham

2009 record: 10-15

Key returners:  Allison Simmons, Lauren Beyerle, Michelle Watt and Sabrina Clayton

Top newcomers:  Alison Good, Cassie Montell and Stephanie Smith

Quote: "With the new setter and our returning seniors I think we'll be a consistent team this season."   — Allison Simmons, senior captain.

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The California High School girls volleyball team has its sights set on a much better result this season compared to last years.

Senior team captain, Allison Simmons, said she hopes the team can compete for the East Bay Athletic League championship.

The team graduated only four seniors last season and returns many of its key players. Among them are Sabrina Clayton, last season's team-leader in kills, Michelle Watt, who led the team in blocks, and Simmons, who led the team in digs.

They'll have to find a replacement for setter Alyssa Didio, who has 467 assists last year and was a co-captain with Simmons. Junior Alison Good is expected to fill her shoes.

"She's been playing really well, we're expecting a lot from her," Simmons said.  "But so far she's been up to the task."

The team leaders returning from last season have more experience and know what they have to do in order to be successful this season.

"I think our defense this year has gotten a lot better, we are really strong in defense," Simmons said.  "Our blocking and hitting has also become a lot more consistent."

Simmons said she feels like her leadership has grown from last season.

Her leadership skills may be tested early. Despite losing only four players to graduation, Simmons still classifies the team as young.

"I think about half of us are new," Simmons said.

Even with all the improvements to the team from last year, the Grizzlies still realize that they must go out and play at a level that matches their capabilities.

"We are trying to be a consistent team," Simmons said.  " A lot of the years before our performance has fluctuated and we want to stay consistent at playing well all the time."

By staying competitive both during the preseason and the regular season the Grizzlies can focus on being consistent in all phases of the game.

"With the new setter and our returning seniors I think we'll be a consistent team this season," Simmons said.

If the team is successful at staying consistent, Simmons expects great results.

"This year I want to be EBAL champions and I want to qualify for NCS," Simmons said.  "I want the team to play consistently."

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