For Nicole Ciari and the rest of the Los Gatos High School girls volleyball coaching staff, the 2025 season was filled with difficulties but also opportunities for growth. Never before had Ciari entered a season with such few returners, a big reason why the team finished 16-14 and wasn’t a contender for the SCVAL De Anza Division championship.
“As much as we had growing pains last season, it will be such a big stepping stone because the girls have a better understanding of how they can be better teammates,” said Ciari, who is entering her fourth season as the Los Gatos coach. “Even though it took time to get to this place, it will make this season so much more successful.”
As a new season approaches, Ciari expects to see the experience the returning players went through last year to benefit the program going forward. Ciari had the players for a three-week summer training program in July before going on hiatus for the mandatory dead period. In that time, Ciari got a glimpse of what the 2026 campaign holds.
“Those three weeks you get to know the girls, they get to know the coaches, each other, learn drills and prepare for tryouts,” said Ciari, whose team opens league play on Sept. 17. “It is a laid-back opportunity to get better at volleyball together, but the wheels are always turning anytime you get an opportunity to see both the returning students and
incoming class. You get a glimpse of where the season is headed.”
The Wildcats return 13 players off last year’s team, the majority of whom saw significant time on the court.
Returning junior libero Caylin Thomas and senior middle blocker Sienna McGrath are difference-makers both in their play on the court and the example they set daily.
“Caylin and Sienna are probably two of our most committed athletes in our program,” Ciari said. “They’re coming in for extra reps and are involved with helping out the middle school programs. We’re very excited to see what they’re able to accomplish this year.”
Sophomore outside hitter Stella Kanter is one of the most athletic players on the team, having qualified for the CIF State Track and Field Championships in the high jump last spring. Kanter is one of the few girls on the team who doesn’t play club volleyball, only because of the commitment she has made to both volleyball and track and field.
“She is very excited to get back to volleyball after her phenomenal track season,” Ciari said.
Ten of the 13 returners play club volleyball, a key component for skill development and experience. In fact, Sadie Bins, Kate Langner and Silvia Miletich got to play together for the same club team this summer.
“It’s great when you have those players who do club during the (high school) off-season,” Ciari said. “We have girls medaling at (Junior) Nationals, and they’re all very successful in their own ways. At the club level, 10 of them are competing at the highest level they can. That’s a lot of experience they bring back to our program, and it really brings cohesiveness in the gym. We have so many good athletes and we’re excited to get them all back together.”
Ciari described Bins’ play last year as “amazing,” highlighting the senior middle blocker’s presence at the net and ability on the attack. Ciari is also excited for returning senior Britt Melinauskas, who is fully healthy after being slowed last year by injury. Two players who were brought up for the team’s playoff run last year—sophomore Lulu Farwell and junior Emma Jin—are expected to make an impact as well.
“I’m really excited to see Lulu compete for a spot on the varsity roster and Emma is a fantastic athlete but also really in pursuit of her next career,” Ciari said. “They both worked extremely hard last year and both of them are amazing.”
