One of the most tradition-rich girls volleyball programs in the Central Coast Section are working their way into peak form, one pass and spike at a time.
Los Gatos High, five-time Central Coast Section champion and 10-time runner-up, stands at 4-2 through Aug. 30. The Wildcats are simply happy to have a full season playing in front of crowds that were sizably reduced in the Covid spring season due to state health orders.
“The players come into the gym after school and work so hard, and this is something they really haven’t been able to do in 18 months,” Los Gatos coach Brynja Thompson said.
Thompson is carrying a large 18-player roster for competitive purposes.
“I like a big roster because it keeps competition healthy,” she said. “It gives players more opportunities to play at a higher level. It’s also a great situation for them, having 18 players learn from each other rather than 12 or 13.”
Clearly excited to talk about her team but at the same time not wanting to fully reveal her hand, Thompson said one of the biggest challenges this season is replacing graduated setter Adrina Tang.
“We have giant shoes to fill at the setter position because Adrina Tang was the best in the land,” Thompson said. “We have to work real hard not just at the setter position, but all the other positions in order to replace such a valuable setter like that.”
Thompson said up to four players are competing to get the bulk of the playing time at setter, though she doesn’t expect the situation to solidify itself for another couple of weeks. Offensively, the Wildcats are potent with senior outside/opposite Natalie Anthony, freshman outside hitter Nicole Steiner and sophomore middle blocker Allison Black.
“Allison is so fast and extremely quick off the ground,” Thompson said. “Nicole is fantastic and she’ll be bringing in a lot of kills. Natalie is doing great things as well. Our firepower is incredible, and we have cannons across the net. We’ve got a huge attack and talented high-flying attackers. And we’re ready to showcase it.”
Defensively, the Wildcats are led by senior libero Emily Gouldrup, who provides the team with tremendous passing and somehow finds a way to dig up a ball that would drop against most other players.
“The ball doesn’t hit the floor near Emily—that’s a special thing to have on your team,” Thompson said. “Emily makes others around her better and she is going to be a large reason as to why this team is successful.”
Thompson measures excellence in how a team does not just on the court, but off the court as well.
“As a coach, the aim is to always help the athletes with lifelong lessons, not just volleyball,” Thompson said. “Hopefully, they walk away with skills in how to work well as a team and how to lose a little better, which is always a hard skill to learn when you’re very good and competitive as they are.
“Hopefully, they manage their time well because they are very good at being students first and athletes second. We want to promote the fact they’re student-athletes, not just volleyball players.”
