Santa Monica High Girls Volleyball.

Despite consecutive losing seasons for the first time since the 2007 season, SAMOHI hopes to return to their winning ways. Going into her eighteenth season as head coach of the Vikings is former Olympic volleyball player, coach Liane Sato. Despite the overall poor performance last year, the girls showed flashes of potential that would make one hope for a return to pre-covid form this year. In 2021, the Vikings were abysmal, with a 2-14 (1-9 in league) record, although in the 21-22 season the girl attained a 11-13 (4-6 in league) season making the playoffs.  This near ten win improvement shows the girls are adapting to their tough bay league opponents. Since the 04-05 season, Coach Sato has led her team to 11 out 18 winning seasons, with the longest streak being from 2014-2015 to 2019-2020. She is looking to bring her girls their first winning season this year, since joining the bay league.

To recapture their once great records, coach Sato will be relying on a key cast of seniors. Led by captains, Emersen Werger (Class of 2024) and Bibiana Peterson (Class of 2024), the girls have kicked off the 23-24 season with a record of 5-2 through their first 7 games, going 1-1 in league so far and 4-1 in out of league contests. Other notable stars this season include seniors Anastasia Rho (Class of 2024), and Cherysh Henley (Class of 2024) who have really stepped it up this year filling in and providing extra leadership which had been lacking in previous years. The most improved player is sophomore Jordyn Scanell (Class of 2026) who right out of the gate let everybody know to look out for her. Not only has the team’s chemistry and teamwork as a whole improved, but a new sense of hunger has come out.  With nearly half of the team being seniors playing their final year, there’s a lot of weight on their shoulders to find winning ways yet again. They currently sit in 4th out of the 6 teams competing in the Bay league, with their remaining 8 games all being in league.  

Their toughest competition awaits them however in these next couple of weeks with their most notable opponents being #1 nationally ranked Mira Costa as well as Redondo who have won the last 3 head-to-head. Along with two tough games against PV, I’d expect them to finish out of the league with a 5-5 record in league, but their out of league wins will carry them to the playoffs at 10-6.  My most anticipated game is their rematch against Redondo Union despite the previous head to head record. Since their first 3 games and their loss against Redondo, SAMOHI has won 4 straight and has shown a lot of growth already and with improved chemistry, they have become stronger and stronger.  They may be the underdogs as of right now, but it’s gonna be a great battle, don’t be surprised if they come out on top and get that long awaited win over Redondo. Nonetheless, everyone at the SamoSportsBlog wishes the best for our girls volleyball team in their season!


Written by Lucas Salmaggi, Staff Writer for the SamoSportsBlog

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Samo defeats Hueneme in the Viking Bash.

Samo drove up the PCH on friday night with high expectations, as they matched up with the Red Vikings of Hueneme. As the boys drove up to Oxnard, they we're looking to finish non-league with a perfect 5-0 record for the first time since 2008. Hueneme on the other hand we're looking for their first win of the season, as the Red Vikings had scheduled tough competition and flunked through their games, going winless through four contests.  Hueneme received the ball to start the game, and started with a bang, obtaining a fifty yard return. Despite this though, the Viking defense would recover and after a couple penalties forcing Hueneme back, the Red Vikings we're put in a 4th and 20 outside of field goal range. Hueneme threw it deep down the field where the ball was intercepted by Charles Cravings (Class of 2025 SS/WR) . In Samo's first drive, the Vikings could not get out of their tough starting position at the five obtaining a string of penalties forcing them to punt. Hue...
Read more

Most Anticipated League Matchups

With the League season starting, I’ve decided to take a look at the most enticing matchup each week in the Bay, Ocean, Pioneer, and Western league. Week 1 of League Bay Redondo @ Peninsula For me, an always enticing matchup is Redondo vs Peninsula. Both have been worse than their rivals (Palos Verdes and Mira Costa Respectively) in the Bay league for years, but compared to each other, it’s a competitive affair. Last year Redondo beat Peninsula at the Hill, a crushing blow to the Panthers in their first night game in school history. Peninsula will look to avenge their loss at Redondo’s Sea Hawk Bowl this season, and with Redondo’s enormous student section, it is sure to be in for an exciting and captivating matchup. Peninsula will also be playing for playoff viability, and to keep their three game win streak intact. Ocean Hawthorne @ Morningside Neither of these squads have had good seasons so far. Hawthorne is 1-4 and Morningside have forfeited twice. For both teams, it’s really about ...
Read more