Las Lomas Girls Volleyball Preview: Fresh Outlook for Knights' First-Year Coach

School: Las Lomas
Sport: Girls volleyball
Coach: Ashley Peterson
2009 record: 14-19 (7-4 DFAL)
Key returners: Maggie Ridenhour, senior; Sophie Neigarten, senior; Maddie Borsch, sophomore; Rachel Linden, sophomore.
Top newcomers: Rachel Nieto, sophomore.
Quote: "It (the team's strength) will definitely be coming from everywhere, I've got a very good all around team," said Peterson.

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After leading the Las Lomas High junior varsity girls volleyball team to over 30 wins last year, Las Lomas graduate Ashley Peterson thinks she can bring that same success to the varsity level.

"That's my goal, definitely," Peterson said. "We've been working really hard the last couple of weeks."

She feels with the depth she currently has, both starters and bench players will see ample amounts of playing time as the team looks to rebound from a losing record and a first round exit in the North Coast Section playoffs last fall.

"People will definitely get playing time off the bench, I just have a lot of depth," she said.

She's said the middle of the court should be one of the strong points. Maddie Borsch may be one of the stronger hitters on the team, even though she's one of the younger players on the squad.

"She's only a sophomore, but she's really done well over her club season," Peterson said.

The spot where Las Lomas is the strongest, according to Peterson, is the outside hitter position, something she's really excited about.

Peterson sees the Knights having to handle Miramonte, Campolindo and Acalanes to get to the top of the Diablo Foothill Athletic League. The first game against those opponents will be a Sept. 28 match at Miramonte.

"Those are going to be the toughest teams in our league for sure," Peterson said.

She also expects the seniors to lead, but says that the sophomores seemed poised to have a breakout season.

"They're an extremely strong class and I think they're really going to take over. I have a lot of seniors that are looking to step up; they'll get a lot of playing time as well," she said.

Peterson is excited for the upcoming preseason schedule.

"We have a nice schedule coming up. Our league is going to be tough but I feel like that we're going to be one of the top contenders."

The Knights will start their DFAL schedule against Alhambra on Tuesday Sept. 21.

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