Mount Madonna School’s (MMS) boys volleyball program has four pillars: middle school red and black, and high school junior varsity (JV) and varsity. While the varsity team recently completed a championship season, the JV, Black and Red teams also enjoyed strong play over these past months!
The JV team members are: Ethan Harrington, Holden Smith, Louis Marshall and Tyler Sullens, 9th; Chris Colip, Cooper Stevens and Sage Buzzini, 10th; and Ali Alhomaidi and Curtis Clausen, 11th. MMS faculty member Nate Rockhold coached the team.
“When we started off the season, the JV were coming off of winning league two years in a row, with last year being undefeated,” comments Rockhold. “This reputation was a little daunting for some of the players who were either incoming freshman or new to the sport. However, they stepped it up, grew individually and the team kept improving all season. “I am especially pleased to have witnessed them supporting each other across the age group, and collaborating despite the differences in skill levels. This really impressed me.”
The Black Hawks team is comprised of 5th through 8th grade players. They are: Aaron Saavedra, Jordan Hopkins and Quinn Cury, 5th; Cam Diskowski, John Dias, Jules Barivan, Nico Panzardi, Noah Kaplan, Sage Turner and Samith Lakka, 6th; Brigg Busenhart, Will Murphy, Zac Clark and Zach Wagner, 7th; and Luca Di Grazia, Nico Schneiter and Param Walker, 8th.
“Led by Nico, Param and Luca, the Black team wrapped up a great season with a strong showing at the San Lorenzo Valley tournament and finished with a win over Twin Lakes Christian,” says Sidd McDonald, MMS athletic director and also Black Hawks coach. “This team has a promising future and will have many returning players for next year’s squad.”
The Red Hawks team 4th and 5th grade players are: Riley Wagner, Ronan Lee, Sammy Caudill, Braeden Will, Conner Murphy, Jeremy Curland, and Will Pramanik. “With the guidance of MMS parent and coach Lynda Will, the Red Hawks had a great season,” comments McDonald. “They played against regional powerhouse EA Hall and had a great victory. Coach Will taught them the basics, and the MMS volleyball community is looking forward to watching these kids progress in the years to come.”
“I enjoyed coaching this team,” comments Will. “They worked really hard to improve their skills, and we had fun. For most this was the first organized team sport they’ve played, so I really worked on building foundation skills: bump passing, anticipating where the ball will come down, and then getting to the ball. By the end of the season, they were much better at returning the ball over the net.”
Congratulations to players and coaches for a season well-played! Thanks as well to team parents Lynda Will (Red), Komala Correos (Black), and Wendy Marshall (JV), and Athletics Assistant Benna Lovato, for the great communications and coordination, and to all parents who contribute by driving, feeding, and supporting the teams this season.
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Contact: Leigh Ann Clifton, Media & Public Relations,
Nestled among the redwoods on 355 mountaintop acres, Mount Madonna is a safe and nurturing college-preparatory school that supports students in becoming caring, self-aware and articulate critical thinkers, who are prepared to meet challenges with perseverance, creativity and integrity. The CAIS and WASC accredited program emphasizes academic excellence, creative self-expression and positive character development. Located on Summit Road between Gilroy and Watsonville.