2008 YHS girls volleyball team selected

Volleyball team rosters are set for the 2008 season

Mike Hackworth

(Updated: Thursday, August 14, 2008, 5:46 PM)

There were no exceptions for student athletes trying out for the Yosemite High School girls volleyball team.

There were 51 participants who were put through a rigorous week of drills and conditioning.

The athletes were graded on quickness, strength, jump height, dash, and endurance over a mile run. The prospects were also evaluated in a series of volleyball skills from passing to targets, serving targets, hitting, and setting.

The coaching staff evaluated the talent upon completion of the tryout period and selected 32 athletes for the 2008 varsity, junior varsity and freshman volleyball teams.

"This was the most difficult tryout process in the last several years," head volleyball coach Tammy Thacker said.

The varsity team is Hillary Prince (junior) left side hitter, Teresa Naumchef (senior) middle blocker, Taylor Alberta (senior) setter, Lanae Contero (junior) left side hitter, Charis Ashcraft (senior) defensive specialist, Kayla Tilden (senior) defensive specialist, Ashley Ellis (sophomore) middle blocker, Courtney Thacker (sophomore) right side hitter and setter, Ashley Collins (senior), defensive specialist and middle blocker and Jennifer Schoonard (junior) right side hitter.

"Certainly this was one of the most skilled groups to pick from, which means that it was very hard on the coaches to narrow down the group and select the final participants," junior varsity coach Dave Hamm said. "This is always the worst part of the coaching process, making cuts."

The varsity squad returns six players from the 2007, undefeated North Sequoia League champions in addition to newcomers Prince, Schoonard, Thacker, and Ellis.

Captains for the 2008 varsity team are Ashley Collins and Taylor Alberta. Alberta led the NSL in assists in 2007.

The team opens play with a scrimmage in Clovis on Friday, Aug. 22 and the preseason with a game against mountain rival Mariposa (at Yosemite) on Thursday Aug. 28.

The junior varsity team returns only three starters, Jillian Davis, Katy Voltmer, and Lacey Smith.

Sophomores Devin Grant and Taylor Jensen round out the team.

New to Yosemite are freshmen Laura Silverman, Sarah Mosley, Moira Chase, Kaley Desilva, Dana Day, and Cassandra Wires.

The freshman team selectees include, Rachel Taylor, Sami Dominici, Riley Cooks, Katelyn Miller, Natale Nicolulis, Kainani Taylor, Catherine Gallagher, Jade Bain, Jessica Derickson, Simone Radliff and Savanah Summers.