Posted: Oct 28, 2016
by Marcus Tolero/photo by Eric Sun
The CCSF Rams Volleyball team is off to one of its best starts ever. Their 16-3 record (5-2 in conference) has put the league on notice that this year’s Rams is a team to be reckoned with.
The Rams have proven to be a juggernaut all season. Their home record is an amazing 7-1, and their away record is an impressive 9-2. The Rams have also added winning streaks of nine games and six games, and they have never lost consecutive games.
Head Coach Saga Vae said the success is a result of team chemistry and consistency.
“I instill within our Volleyball Team the importance of consistency being a fundamental element to a successful team. We do a lot of ball control in practice, then acknowledge their mistakes and take the time to correct it right away.”
Freshman Jennifer Quarters-Styles and Sophomore Kijana Best continue to be consistent performers for Vae. Both rank no.1 and no.2 in the state respectively in kills per set and kills. Quarters-Styles averages 5.41 kills per set and has an amazing 379 kills. Best is not far behind with 5.31 kills per set and 372 kills. To put these numbers into perspective, the third-best in kills per set is Long Beach’s Sarah Miller’s 4.98 and the third-best in kills is San Diego Mesa’s Isabel Miller’s 335.
Most of the points scored by Quarters-Styles, Best, and Freshman Lapepaaina Malieitulua (third on the team with 123 kills) have been a result of a Pamela Dungo assist. The freshman Dungo ranks no.5 in the state with a 10.44 assist-per-set average. Her total number of assists is a ridiculous 731.
Freshman Isoke Springer has also played a key role in the Rams’ run of success this year. Her digs-per-set average of 7.55 and total digs of 498 ranks her no.2 in the state in both categories.
Vae said this is one of his most talented groups he has coached.
“Our team chemistry was a blessing this year, especially having liked-minded back-row defensive players who are all similar -- small and quick. They all read well, and are not scared of any balls coming on their side of the court,” Vae said
The Rams next game is Friday, Oct. 28 at Chabot. Game time is 6:30pm.