Sports
SRV Girls Volleyball Preview: Tough EBAL Awaits Wolves
Playing volleyball in the EBAL is a great prep for the playoffs, if you survive league play and make it that far in the first place.
School: San Ramon Valley High
Sport: Volleyball
Coach: Tom Bauhs
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2009 record: 5-9 EBAL, 16-18 overall
Key returners: Sarah Board, Erin Sherwood, Minari Karunatilake, Victoria Acosta, Jessica Ross, Hayley Jungelas
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Quote: "Our league prepares you for the playoffs; other teams haven't been through this level of play for the entire year." Coach Tom Bauhs
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Not many coaches can look at a 5-9 record in league play and not feel disappointed. But most coaches don't have to play volleyball in the meat grinder that is the East Bay Athletic League either.
San Ramon Valley High girls volleyball coach Tom Bauhs saw last year's team finish with just five wins in 14 league games and just barely miss qualifying for the playoffs.
But the fact that San Ramon Valley was 11-9 in games outside the league, and was competitive in most of its league losses last year, has Bauhs extremely excited about this year's team.
"Last year we were a middle of the road team," said Bauhs. "We had some close matches that we did not win. This year, I hope we will give some teams a run for their money."
But in a stacked league like the EBAL — which features the likes of Carondelet, Amador Valley, Foothill and Monte Vista — there are no easy games on the schedule.
"We don't get to relax on any night," Bauhs said. "Our league prepares you for the playoffs; other teams haven't been through this level of play for the entire year."
If the Wolves are going to fight their way to the upper tier of the league and advance to the postseason, they will do so on the strength of new starting setter Sarah Board.
"She will be the key to our season," Bauhs said. "We have a lot of confidence in her."
In addition to Board, San Ramon Valley has a lot of depth at the hitter position and does return four of its six 2009 starters – Erin Sherwood, Minari Karunatilake, Victoria Acosta and Jessica Ross - along with libero Hayley Jungelas.
With San Ramon Valley set to open its season at Northgate High on Sept. 7 it would appear that the Wolves have the depth and the experience to make a run at the top in 2010 as well as a deep run in the playoffs – if they survive the grueling EBAL schedule that is.
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