COLUSA, CA (MPG) – Despite finishing fourth in the Sacramento Valley League last year, a late season run saw Colusa finish as the Northern Section CIF Division IV runner-up and one match shy of a chance to play for the 2025 CIF Division V State championship.
While missing out on that opportunity was disappointing, the silver lining is that majority of that roster returns in 2026 with a far greater amount of experience.
Leading the way for Colusa is its second team All-Northern Section pick Abby Coronado, who a season ago as a junior was a force in the middle, finishing eighth in the section with 374 kills and seventh in blocks with 98, while also proving to be lethal from the service stipe having tallied 79 aces. While it appears the RedHawks will shift Coronado to the outside, depending on the match up she could see time in the middle as well.
Another of the team’s seniors Colusa will rely on heavily is outside hitter Peyton Miller, who plays all the way around. A steady presence on the court, Coach Kim Roper says that Miller is the type of player for whom “the moment is never too big.” With 393 kills, which was good for sixth in the NSCIF, to go along with 390 digs, her versatility will be vital to the RedHawks’ success.
In Colusa’s 6-2 system, the setting duties will be shared by senior Cindel Oliver and junior Leyla Avera. In 2025, Oliver accounted for 593 assists, made 241 digs and was eighth in the section in aces with 89, while Avera dished out 463 assists and recorded 226 digs.
A pair of seniors in Marlie Berry and Braelyn Santana will anchor the back row, bringing with them toughness and intensity. In 2025, Berry made 289 digs and served 80 aces while Santana pitched in with 134 digs.
Nonetheless, another of the strengths of this year’s squad is its depth and the RedHawks have exactly that, particularly up front.
Kendall Marengo is back for her junior campaign after proving formidable on the block having finished with 48. Senior Maci Garofalo also returns, providing an option at opposite or in the middle with a knack for making the smart play. Junior Mallori Garofalo, a late season call up a year ago who got some court time in the state tournament, will also see time at opposite.
A newcomer to watch is freshman Lauren Gomez, who again gives Colusa options in the middle and at opposite. With a solid skill set, look for Gomez to make an immediate impact on both the attack and the block.
Expectations are running high for the RedHawks and Coach Kim Roper believes her team will rise to meet them given that it is stronger than ever this year with the sky being the limit.
“Overall, we have nine returning varsity players, six of whom are seniors,” said Roper, who enters her seventh year at the helm of the varsity squad. “They work hard, are versatile, scrappy and very coachable. It takes every player to complete the puzzle, so they all need to believe in themselves because if they do, we are capable of doing some really great things.”
Playing in the Sacramento Valley League against the likes of perennial power East Nicolas, Durham and county rival Pierce will provide a good test for the RedHawks, who are also an early favorite to return to the NSCIF Division title game with the intent to bring home the school’s third championship, then put together another strong run in the CIF State Tournament.
Colusa opened its season on Aug. 11 at home against Live Oak before heading to Honolulu, HI to compete in the Sacred Hearts Academy’s sixth annual Lancer Invitational Tournament which runs Aug. 13–15.