PC notebook: Volleyball players among state leaders
Several Porterville College Pirates are ranked among the top volleyball players, as the first California statistics report was announced this week.
Freshman setter Samantha Sawyer leads all Central Valley Conference players in assists per game with an 8.62 average. She is also ranked eighth among all freshmen in the state.
Sophomore Amanda Monge, who recently moved from middle blocker to outside hitter, ranks No. 12 in kills per game (4.13), which is second-best among players in the CVC.
In the same category, freshman outside hitter Nayeli Colunga (2.97) is fourth in the conference.
Monge and Colunga represent the top hitting duo, statistically, among the CVC teams.
“They really provide a great one-two punch for us,” said PC coach Dale Henderson.
“Our opponents can no longer prepare to stop just one player. We have an offense that can pressure teams from different spots on the floor.”
Defensively, Henderson would like to see the Pirates improve, as they enter CVC play and make a run for another playoff appearance.
Sophomore libero Kacey Markarian leads the team in digs (2.62 per game), which is around the middle of the state pack.
In blocks, Monge (0.49 per game) has seen a drop in stats (0.95 per game in 2011), since moving to outside hitter.
“We changed our rotation during the preconference season,” Henderson said.
“Although we are a very strong team offensively, we need to step up on the defensive side to be a more complete team. I think as our players adjust to their new roles, things will come together of us.”
FINALLY HOME
Since opening the season at home back on Aug. 28, the PC volleyball team has played 11 straight contests on the road – including trips to Modesto, Gilroy, and twice to the Sacramento area. The Pirates return home on Wednesday, Sept. 26 for a CVC match with Reedley.
“The players can’t wait to play in our home gym,” said Henderson, who lost just once at home last season.
“We’ve been talking about playing at home for the past couple weeks now. It will be nice to play in front of our home crowd again.”
