El Camino Girls Volleyball Looks to Build on Early Success

The girls volleyball team has been rolling along early in the season and a key win last weekend appears to signal they may be ready to take the next step this season.

The Eagles are 14-1 so far including wins at St. Francis and against Christian Brothers. But the team's biggest win was this past Saturday when they defeated perennial national power Archbishop Mitty of San Jose 2-0 in the final of the 24-team Christine Craft Memorial Tournament at Oak Ridge.

"Our non-league schedule has been tough," said El Camino coach Marty Soyama. "We wanted to play the best of the best."

The Eagles, section runners-up last season and champions in 2009, are led by six seniors on the team.

"We're looking a lot better than expected," said outside hitter Natalie Riddering, a Cal verbal commit. "I'm positive we can win our league and I'll be pumped for the postseason and making a run at state."

Middle hitters Megan Lunger and Nicole Hareland bring height and leadership at the net. They're joined by libero Talia Kaczmarek and  defensive specialist MacKenzie Sickle. Freshman setter Devin Herenda has ably stepped onto the varsity squad.

Already, El Camino is looking forward to its matches against area rival . Players on both sides have been teammates with each other on club volleyball teams but there's no love lost between the two schools.

The teams meet up Sept. 28, Oct. 17 and Nov. 2.

"We look forward to playing Rio," said senior defensive specialist/middle blocker Avalon Peterson. "We have confidence in ourselves; we're a family."

El Camino's next game is Monday at Cordova.