LM locked and loaded on court

The Los Molinos varsity volleyball team lost two key starters from last season but is fully reloaded with eight returnees and seven up-and-comings from 2009's league champion JV squad.

Monica Maxwell and Kirstin Wagenfuhr will be difficult to replace, as Maxwell led last year's club in kills and blocks, while Wagenfuhr posted the team best in aces and served as the secondary setter in 6-2 formations.

The primary setter, Callie Carruth, returns for her senior season along with middle hitter Kiersten Seaman. Seaman, last year's serve-receive leader, is a four-year varsity player and Carruth has led LM in assists since coming up as a sophomore.

Twin outside hitters Jessey and Nikki Quirke, who came up for playoffs as sophomores, are also back for their senior seasons at LM.

Briselda Castillo, a defensive specialist who led the club in digs last season, is another senior, and the Lady Bulldogs also return seniors: Francis Ocampo (OH), Ashley Havel (OPP) and Breanna Gratreaks (OH).

The senior leadership will be a powerful influence to a talented class of juniors coming up, led by Audry Gillett and Dannie Wabs. The junior class also consists of: Haley Ables, Malissa Owensby, Shirlyn Robley, Jessica Williams and Tasha Madison. They won the Mid-Valley League title last year.

The 2009 varsity squad won over 30 matches (6-4 MVL, 31-13-2), placing third in the Mid-Valley League behind Hamilton and East Nicolaus. The MVL was split into North and South divisions again this year, and Hamilton remains LM's toughest adversary in the North, along with Quincy and Biggs. East Nicolaus moved to the South with Portola, Esparto and Williams.

Los Molinos opened its season Tuesday night by hosting Greenville.