It is adjustment time for the Weston Ranch High School girls volleyball team.
The Cougars will take the floor Tuesday night for a home match against Stagg High School for the first time since 2019 and will be led by first-year head coach, and former WRHS standout, Senecia Patten. She will take over a program coming off a 2-14 overall record and 0-9 record in the VOL, so while adjustments don’t need to be made immediately, the makeover is long overdue.
“We are very excited to see what this year’s team brings to the table,” Patten told The Prowl. “We have a ton of potential, and we hope we get the chance to showcase it.”
And it’s this potential Patten will use to help her program bounce back from a few lean years. The Cougars have posted five VOL wins in the past three official seasons. In defense of the Lady Cougars, the VOL boasts some of the best talents in the San Joaquin Section. In addition, MUSD representatives in the VOL have experienced players and benefit from vital junior programs. These are things Patten hopes her program can adjust to and begin to make a more substantial impact in the VOL.
“We have a couple of solid hitters this year, so I am expecting some exciting plays out of those girls,” Patten said. “Our goal is always to be better than the year before. We teach all of our players to grow from their mistakes. There will always be obstacles, but we teach our players to use those as motivation to do and be better. So I am expecting an exciting season.”
As a former Cougar volleyball player, Patten has been part of some of the disappointing finishes. But, it hasn’t deterred her from offering her club the best chances to be successful. That optimism will need to translate itself with this year’s players, and Patten has good ones in Seniors Siyah Grigsby and Jannele Ico to make the adjustments and lead the team.
“Siyah will be our Middle Blocker this year,” Patten beamed. She is a beast who is constantly working at the net with her consistent blocks and potent hits. In addition, Jannele Ico, our Outside Hitter, is a great all-around player. Whether in front or back row, Jannele shows up and never backs down from the fight.”
Making adjustments will be the main focus for Patten and the Cougars, but it’s the fans who they will rely on to make the final adjustment. Sometimes the extra support from the crowd is like another player on the court.
Patten added, “I would like fans to know that their support is what keeps us going. We love feeding off the energy of the crowd. So on game day, don’t look away for too long because you might miss all of the action.”
The first game for the Cougars, scheduled for tonight against Venture, was cancelled. So, the Cougars will wait until August 24 to kickstart the changes. Game times will be 5 pm, 6 pm, and 7 pm at WRHS.
