PRINCETON, CA (MPG) – A season ago Princeton completed its best season since 2013, winning nine of its last 10 matches to earn a spot in the Northern Section CIF Division VII championship game and despite coming up short to Hayfork, made considerable strides as a program.
As they return to the court in 2025, the Eagles boast a roster featuring eight seniors, all of whom were part of last years’ squad, but will have to fill voids created by the graduation of three players off that team with a trio of underclassmen.
And while Princeton has its work cut out for itself, Coach Lisa Pence is optimistic about her group’s chances saying, “It’s definitely going to be a tough transition from where we ended last year because we are moving players to different spots and changing our rotation. But as long as the girls have a clear mindset and work hard, they’ll be able to match where we were last year.”
In pursuing that goal, the Eagles will look to their two senior captains, Guadalupe Espinoza and Reyna Sullivan, to set the tone and provide a stabilizing presence in a sea of change.
Espinoza, the setter, is the floor general, a player who Pence says “has a strong knowledge of the game, and knows where everyone should be on the court,” while she praised Sullivan for being the “key communicator.”
Illustrating the duo’s significance is their stat line from 2024 where Espinoza dished out 392 assists, served 92 aces and made 66 digs, with Sullivan recording 172 kills, 82 aces and 71 digs.
At the net, Princeton will count on senior Sissy Winn who last season finished with 58 kills and 33 total blocks to be a factor in the middle, as will Espinoza, who also landed 32 kills as a junior.
However, both will need to increase their numbers in order to offset the loss of Makenzie Wills, who contributed 105 kills and 39 blocks in her final season for the Eagles.
Also getting an opportunity to hit from the pin will be seniors Starlin Smith and Gabriella Trujillo, while options at opposite will include fellow seniors Jenna Silva and Jackie Kent along with sophomore Orella Peters and freshman Alia Irish Fifield.
In the back row, the Eagles again have a number of alternatives in Sullivan, Silva, Trujillo, Peters and senior Macie Johnston.
Stepping in as libero will be freshman Allison Rendon, who despite making her high school debut this season, has played club for Pence, which should help make the transition easier.
Rendon takes over for Mariel Parra, who graduated last spring and was a key defensive defensive performer, having made 202 digs and 276 service receptions.
While there will be a learning curve as the team adjusts to the changes, Pence, who is in her second season at the helm says that her team possesses the necessary qualities to achieve their goals.
“They are dedicated, have a willingness to learn along with mutual respect and trust in one another. With all these characteristics our season should be smooth sailing.”
Princeton, which has an enrollment of less than 50 and competes in the Pioneer League, opened the preseason in Hamilton City on Aug. 12 before returning home to host Los Molinos on Aug. 14.