Tokay Tigers welcome newcomer, hope to host playoffs

With only three returners from last year's squad, the Tokay volleyball team looks pretty different from the 2008 Tigers.

Junior Nicole Buzo, last year's Tri-City Athletic League Co-MVP, is back, as are seniors Tori Nunez and Sarah Boron-Trotter. Everyone else is new to the varsity level. One player, Enrica Bosco, is new to America.

Bosco is an exchange student from Italy. She's played volleyball for seven years in Italy, but admits that the game is played differently in the United States.

"I thought maybe volleyball would be one of the things that would be the same as home, but it's not," Bosco said in pretty clear English.

Bosco said the positions are a little different on her new team. So is the style of play. After three weeks of practice, however, Bosco is adapting fairly nicely.

"I have to give her credit because she's come a long way in three weeks," Buzo said. "She progresses fast."

Nunez said she is also a fun addition to the Tigers.

"She is funny, she makes us laugh," she said.

Tokay has played a few scrimmages this season and faced Chavez last week. As is custom with volleyball in the U.S., the Tigers huddle up and cheer after each point. That is the biggest difference in the sport from Italy to America, according to Bosco.

"The first game I was a bit shocked because in our games, we don't have noise and all the stuff," she said. "There is not as much cheering."

As Bosco continues to acclimate to American volleyball, the Tigers continue to work together and gel as a team. Head coach Pamela Buzo said three sophomores, Arianna Brusa, Brooke Malcolm and Lacy Cowin, all figure to start for the Tigers.

Last season, Tokay finished second in TCAL and finished with a 20-5 record. After being dealt the No. 13 seed in the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs, the Tigers almost knocked off No. 4 Davis before falling in five games.

"We lost some really good players last year, but we have some good players coming up too so it is just about training and learning the game," Nunez said.

Tokay is hoping last year's starting libero Kelsey McCarty will be able to play this season. The senior is currently out with a lower back injury and its unknown if and when she'll be able to play.

In the meantime, the Tigers will be looking to be a force in TCAL again and battle for the second-place spot behind league favorite St. Mary's. Coach Buzo even said it's the team's goal to host a first-round playoff game.

Team previews

Lodi Flames
Coach/year: Krista Brereton, ninth.
League: San Joaquin Athletic Association.
Last year: The Flames went 8-2 in league, earning a share of the SJAA championship with Lincoln and Chavez. Lodi (15-9) lost to Rodriguez 3-0 in the first round of the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs.
Key returners: Seniors Emily McConahey (outside hitter), Macy Boschee (defensive specialist), Tori Shepard (opposite), Jenae Reich (middle blocker), Shantel Dickerson (outside hitter); junior Ally Drake (defensive specialist); sophomore Addie Alegre (setter).
Key addititions: Junior Betsy Colburn (setter) and sophomore Jessica Malcolm (outside hitter/middle blocker).
League favorites: Chavez.
Noteworthy: The Flames graduated star players Samantha Balentine and Gabby Munsch from last year's squad and have a young team this year. Brereton said the team will try to spread its offense around more this year and getting everyone involved.

Tokay Tigers
Coach/year: Pamela Buzo, third.
League: Tri-City Athletic League.
Last year: The Tigers went 7-3 to take second in TCAL. Tokay (20-5) drew a No. 13 seed in the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs, where it almost knocked off No. 4 Davis before falling 3-2.
Key returners: Seniors Tori Nunez (outside hitter), Sarah Boron-Trotter (libero); junior Nicole Buzo (outside hitter/utility).
Key additions: Senior foreign exchange student Enrica Bosco (opposite); juniors Allie Terry, Chelsea Merwin, Amber Ali and sophomores Arianna Brusa (setter), Brooke Malcolm (outside/opposite), Lacy Cowin (middle blocker).
League favorites: St. Mary's, but Tokay will make a run for the second-place spot, according to coach Buzo.
Noteworthy: The Tigers will be a young team, starting three sophomores in Brusa, Malcolm and Cowin. Nicole Buzo, the 2008 TCAL Co-MVP, and Nunez are captains for the Tigers.

Galt Warriors
Coach/year: Kelly Stanfill, second.
League: Sierra Valley Conference.
Last year: The Warriors went 9-14 last year and finished fifth in the SVC standings with a 3-7 record.
Key returners: Seniors Nicole Newman (outside hitter/opposite), Becca McBroom (middle blocker), Jaclyn Pinasco, Shannon Whitley (middle blocker/libero), Amelia Raquel (setter), Mary Lane (setter).
Key additions: Junior Emily Staab (middle blocker).
League favorites: Oak Ridge and Galt, according to Stanfill.

Elliot Christian Eagles
Coach/year: Carrie Fox-Buttram, first.
League: Harvest Christian League.
Key returners: Seniors Catharine Simning (setter), Kari McKinnon (middle blocker), Alis Sokolova (setter/outside hitter); sophomore MaKenna Cowden (outside hitter).
Key additions: Juniors Whitney Goans (setter), Brianna Santos (setter), Stephanie Crawford (outside hitter), Amy Lambdin (libero), Katie Anema (middle blocker), Rachel Elliot (outside hitter).
Noteworthy: This is Fox-Buttram's first year coaching volleyball. In her playing days in high school and in club volleyball, she was a backrow specialist. The Stockton resident is the guidance counselor at Elliot.

"I truly believe we have the potential to be right there in second (in TCAL)," Buzo said. "I feel very strongly about the girls. We might be an underdog in most of the matches we are going to play this year, but we know we can battle."

Lodi Flames

There is a new game plan for the Lodi Flames this year.

After graduating standouts Samantha Balentine and Gabby Munsch from last year's San Joaquin Athletic Association co-champion team, the Flames are retooling this season.

"We are working on trying to spread our offense more. Last year we ran middle as much as we could. We had Gabby and Sam and that was our goal," said nine-year head coach Krista Brereton. "This year we are trying to get everybody involved in everything and I think that's going to be key to our success."

Shantel Dickerson and Emily McConahey are captains of the team, as well as two of Lodi's five seniors along with Macy Boschee, Tori Shepard and Jenae Reich. Juniors Ally Drake and Betsy Colburn and sophomores Addie Alegre and Jessica Malcolm all figure to play a factor in Lodi's success.

Dickerson said many of the Flame players know each other well and have played lots of sports together outside of volleyball. The history helps with their team chemistry and the Flames are hoping it will get them back to the playoffs and keep their four-year streak of earning at least a share of the SJAA title alive.

"We are definitely a young team, but we bring a lot to the table," Dickerson said. "We are ready to do better this time and take it to another level. As long as we keep focusing on the intensity and effort, it will come."

Galt Warriors

With a strong group of returners, the Warriors are looking to build on their 9-14 season last year and crack into the playoffs this fall.

Galt is off to a 2-1 start this season. The Warriors lost to Tokay in their season opener, but rebounded with a 3-1 win over Weston Ranch on Monday and a 3-1 win over Franklin of Stockton on Tuesday.

Seniors Nicole Newman, Becca McBroom, Jaclyn Pinasco, Shannon Whitley, Amelia Raquel, Mary Lane will look to lead the Warriors as they battle league favorite Oak Ridge and contend in the Sierra Valley Conference.

So far, second-year head coach Kelly Stanfill is happy with how the preseason is progressing.

"Team work is one of our strengths," she said. "They are doing a great job of working together."

Elliot Christian Eagles

Carrie Fox-Buttram is adding to her duties as guidance counselor at Elliot Christian by taking the reins of the Eagles' volleyball program.

It's her first year coaching volleyball, but she started playing in junior high and continued through high school and club volleyball programs. Fox-Buttram's got a solid mix of returners including seniors Catharine Simning, Kari McKinnon, Alis Sokolova and sophomore MaKenna Cowden, as well as a strong class of juniors, to help her in her first season.

"The athletes are wonderful, determined, steadfast and always keeping me on my toes," she said.

Contact reporter Joelle Milholm at joellem@lodinews.com.

Reader Feedback

Dutch Boy wrote on Sep 2, 2009 12:43 PM:

" We are fortunate to be hosting Enrica in our home. What a delightful and determined young lady she is. Her parents must be very proud of her! Go Enrica and go Tokay volleyball!! "

Report Abuse

Comments on this story are now closed.

Archives

Story Tools

Indexes