RIPON — It will be a revolving door with Ripon Christian volleyball this season as key personnel losses will be supplanted by a strong corps of returning players.
Gone are four-year starter and Southern Athletic League Most Valuable Player Paige Vos, third-year starter and all-league libero Bethany Silveira, along with Emily Manes and Kendra Van Rys.
In their place will be a senior-centric group of Taylor Alger, Taylor Anema, Megan Bos, Grace Van Vliet and Renae Heida and Makenzie Miller and junior Lauren Braga.
The Knights had an 18-15 overall record last year, finishing second in the SL (12-2) and made it to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division VI semifinals. Third-year coach Jocelyn Benziger credits her team’s success to a high-level tournament the squad competed in mid-season.
“About half way through season we attended a tournament that offered a high level of competition,” Benziger said. “While it was challenging, the girls learned a lot and there was an elevation in teamwork and play upon returning from the tournament.”
Ripon Christian begins a blistering non-league schedule Monday at Modesto Christian and will look to begin improving on last year’s second-place league finish when the Knights open SAL play at Waterford on Tuesday, Sept. 4.
“Despite a challenging preseason with limited coaching staff, I am encouraged by the desire and drive this group of girls have,” Benziger said. “It is going to be an exciting season and we are all eager to work toward a league championship.”