State
title is goal again for Falcons
by
Jason Stone
CAVE
CREEK – Most volleyball teams would fall apart
if they lost their head coach and their three
best players.
But
most teams aren’t Cactus Shadows.
Although
the Falcons are replacing the core of its team
and its head coach, try telling a Cactus Shadows
player that it’s a rebuilding season–she’ll probably
laugh you out of the gym.
Just
when most 4A‑Division II teams might consider
the two‑time (in the last three years) state
champion vulnerable, the Falcons are hoping to
pull a surprise on them all.
Despite
losing coach Karen Sitkiewicz and graduates Rachel
Oligmueller, Courtney Weedman and Lara Kilgore,
the Falcons are still one deep team. The squad
features six seniors and seven juniors, 10 of
which played on varsity last season. With Arizona
moving to best‑of‑five matches from
best‑of‑three, depth will be a key
component in 2006.
“You
have to have a great starting six and depth will
make all the difference this year,” said new coach
Shawnee Smith, who is teaming with Michelle Drechsler
to split coaching duties this year.
Smith’s
system will be based more on defense. It will
still feature a fast‑paced offense but the
former Long Beach State player has instilled a
defensive mentality that puts a premium on passing.
“It’s
just a good coaching staff,” senior Sara Pages
said. “It’s kind of nice to be underestimated
(by opponents).”
Senior
Clare Gersh said the coaching staff has been pushing
the team hard during preseason practices, but
it has helped the team keep the fire it had when
winning state championships in 2003 and 2005.
“We
have enough returning players that we’re really
excited to defend our title,” Gersh said.
Smith
said the cupboard certainly wasn’t empty when
she was hired full‑time last spring after
helping out Sitkiewicz twice a week last year.
