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For a pair of new volleyball coaches, their teams at San Lorenzo Valley and Scotts Valley high schools have nowhere to go but up. Both teams struggled last season as Scotts Valley went 3-11 in the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League play and SLV lost every game against league foes.
Enter the head coaches: Marcus Northcutt, the athletic director at SLV, will take over for the Cougars, and Zoe Beltz take the helm for the Falcons this year. With new coaches come new challenges, but more importantly new opportunities.
San Lorenzo Valley
Northcutt has never coached volleyball, but he is optimistic about the players’ talents.
“They know what to do,” Northcutt said. “We have a bunch of girls that play club, and I am getting help from (assistant) Joel Hernandez and doing some studying of my own. We are going to surprise some people.”
The Cougars will return eight seniors and add an eager crew of juniors to the mix.
The aptly named Michelle Hitt, a senior, looks to be the team’s big outside hitter, along with Haley Cada and Matty Prader. Setting duties will fall to Kaitlyn Lotz and junior Taylor Froling.
At libero for the Cougars is the multitalented Hayle Leontiff, who has also taken a strong vocal leadership role on the veteran team, Northcutt reports.
“We have lots of returners and a lot of experience on this team,” Northcutt said. “I have given the girls the go-ahead to help each other out by coaching themselves where they can.”
Coming off of last season’s disappointing finish, the right mix of motivation and attitude could allow the Cougars to surprise some rivals in the SCCAL.
The team opens the season Sept. 1, when it will host Los Gatos High at 6:45 p.m.
Scotts Valley
Beltz, though new to the Falcons, is a well-seasoned coach in the area who is looking to turn the program into a local powerhouse.
Beltz has coached at San Lorenzo Valley High in the past and puts on summer camps every year to encourage and teach younger players. She was a Division I-A college player at Idaho State.
“We are a very well-rounded team,” Beltz said. “Across the board, all our girls are very even and look very good thus far.”
The Falcons have seven returning seniors and will look to their experience this year to find their focus.
Setting will be handled by juniors Hannah Kearney, Kendall Kucera and Allison Twisselman.
Middle blockers will be seniors Tori Bridges and Erin Anderson, with help from junior Christina Vosu-Cramer and sophomore Katherine Stewart.
Outside hitters will be seniors Emily Payne, Cassie Timmons, Alexandra “Peach” Beddow-Weeks and Charlotte Locke, along with juniors Caitlin Pellemier and Maggie Witzig, with support from sophomore Mikayla Fish.
Senior Alisha Page will play at libero.
The Falcons will look to improve on their 3-11 SCCAL record.
Scotts Valley begins the season Sept. 2, when the team hosts Anzar High at 6:30 p.m.
