COLUSA, CA (MPG) – With the graduation of six seniors off last years’ squad, there are lots of new faces taking the court in Colusa this season, but despite their youth, the RedHawks have the look of a legitimate contender.
“This group’s strengths are quickness and athleticism,” said head coach Kim Roper. “They are committed, dedicated and have been working hard all summer.”
It’s a combination that bodes well if the squad looks to improve upon its third-place finish in the Sacramento Valley League in 2024 and make a run at the Northern Section Division IV title.
Up front the RedHawks boast some power with the combination of junior returner Abby Coronado and sophomore Kendall Marengo in the middle, along with senior Cece Mitchum and junior Peyton Miller, two more returning players who hit from the outside and can play all the way around.
A season ago Coronado contributed 151 kills and 31 blocks, while Marengo, a call-up for the playoffs looks perfectly capable of adapting her game to the varsity level.
For her part last year, Mitchum recorded 215 kills and 311 digs, which were second most on the team, while Miller finished with 172 kills and 133 digs.
Playing opposite, or the right side, for Colusa will be a tandem that includes senior Sophia Bernardo and junior Maci Garofalo.
However, in spite of their potential at the net, one area they hope to improve upon is their overall hitting percentage, which at times last year was inconsistent.
Moreover, the RedHawks will have to overcome the loss of last years’ seniors Addison Lay and McKenna Azbill who took a combined 40 percent of the swings in 2024, delivering 422 and 156 kills respectively.
Colusa will additionally have to replace Lay, an All-Section pick in her final season, at one of the setter spots where she posted a team-high 539 assists.
Fortunately for the RedHawks however, junior Cindel Oliver returns to help facilitate the offense after handing out 334 assists last year in addition to serving 60 aces.
Stepping into the other setter position in the 6-2 rotation is sophomore Leyla Avera.
In the back row, Colusa also looks to fill the void left by libero Abril Guzman, who accounted for 513 digs and 769 service receptions.
Still, the RedHawks have two viable options in Marlie Berry and Braelyn Santana, a tenacious pair who will help bolster the defense.
When all is said and done Colusa looks to be in good shape entering into the 2025 season and giving it an even greater advantage will be its interchangeable parts as Roper explained, “We are a young team so we have a lot of room for improvement, but we are also very versatile and can adapt to playing other positions if necessary.”
This year the RedHawks venture into new territory during the preseason, heading to Yreka’s “Miner Mountain Blast” on Aug. 23, then return to the Whittier Cardinal Classic on Sept. 5, before facing an early test with a match at home against Willows in its SVL opener on Sept. 9.
In the meantime, the RedHawks entertained Clear Lake on Aug. 19 in its first game of the year.