Hamilton begins season tall, deep

Newsflash: The Hamilton High volleyball team will not repeat last season's 9-1 record in the Mid-Valley League.

The flash is actually more of a fizzle, because due to re-alignment in the MVL, a perfect league record will be just 6-0.

With the additions of Quincy and Portola, the MVL split into a pair of four-team leagues - the North and South - with Hamilton playing in the North along with Biggs, Los Molinos and Quincy. The teams from the North will still play "cross-over" games with the South, but those results will not be figured into the respective league standings.

Hamilton coach Erin Johnson is cautiously optimistic about the Lady Braves' chances this year, saying, "Each year a girl comes out of nowhere who can block or hit the ball, so you have to be ready for everybody."

The Braves should definitely be ready, losing just two seniors from last year's 36-6 squad that captured the Division V Northern Section Championship.

"I have the majority of my girls returning," Johnson said. "The girls have played together for awhile, they work well together, and they're having a lot of fun."

Julene Stokes, a senior transfer from Mercy in Red Bluff, is a new face that will help set up the offense, while Emily Stokes returns to the court after playing as a freshman, and outside hitter Gaby Flores is back after taking a year off.

"I lost my libero, but I have more height this year, so I'm hoping to be stronger along the net as far as blocking," Johnson explained.

Helping provide the strong blocking front will be sophomore Audra Jones (6'4), and Aubrey Bekendam and Jordan McCorkle, who each stand 5'10. Sarah Verboom, along with Julene and Emily Stokes, all measure 5'9.

But Hamilton's strength has been its attack, and the offensive arsenal remains well-armed. Aubrey Bekendam, who earned second-team All-Section recognition last season as an outside hitter leads the charge, along with Sarah Verboom.

The heavy hitters will also rely on the setting assistance of Evelin Barajas, who finished second in the section with 8.7 assists per game last year.

Sure they're strong going in, but they are still pursuing one elusive benchmark. "Our goals are to win league and make it through sections," Johnson explained, before adding, "our ultimate goal is to make it past the first round of state playoffs. We haven't done that yet."

Contact Craig Purcell at 824-1036 or cpurcell@tcnpress.com.