The Española Valley volleyball team was vocal and energetic Aug. 15 at a jamboree hosted by Pojoaque High School.
The Sundevils wore smiles and communicated often on the court as they faced the Robertson Cardinals, one of the top teams in Class AAA (no scores were kept at the event).
Standing out, perhaps because she will be one of the tallest players on what will be a short Sundevils team, was 5-foot, 8-inch senior Marisol Peña.
Peña has returned to the Lady Sundevils after a one-season hiatus due to injury. She had been a middle blocker on Española’s 2007 volleyball team which qualified for the Class AAAA state tournament, but had injured her anterior cruciate ligament during Española basketball team’s season opener.
Peña sat out the 2008 volleyball season following the surgery. She did play basketball during the 2008-09 season, although she admitted she wasn’t at full strength.
“I was so out of shape, I couldn’t keep up.” Peña said.
This year, she is back on the volleyball court as Española’s starting middle blocker.
“At first, I thought I would struggle, but I was really surprised,” Peña said. “It’s really cool to know I still had my skills.”
In addition to her skills, Peña brings enthusiasm to her team.
“She has energy,” senior outside hitter Renee Roybal said. “She’s always loud and excited.”
As a senior, Peña believes it’s her role to motivate the Sundevils.
“I have to step it up more,” she said. “As a captain, I’m one of the bigger persons on the team.”
Española is looking to rebound this season. After advancing to the state tournament for four consecutive years, including a state runnerup finish in 2006, Española slipped to a 7-13 record last season and failed to advanced to the state tournament under first year coach Garry Maskaly, who replaced veteran Sam Estrada after seven years at the helm.
Maskaly has left Española after one season to coach its District 2AAAA rival Los Alamos.
This year, the team expects to return to its previous level, and they point to new coach Damon Salazar as one reason. This is Salazar’s first season as a high school head coach, but he has been the coach for many of the program’s players during the club season.
“Coaching,” Roybal said when asked what the big difference was between this year‘s team and last season. “Damon pushes us to a higher level and never gives up on us.”
Salazar, who has refused to speak to the SUN since a story over his controversial hiring was published in July, talks a lot to his team. He is vocal on the sidelines, offering encouragement and instruction on every point.
“He knows how to teach,” Peña said. “The way he teaches is really good.”
There is more unity on the team this season, according to senior setter Monica Naranjo.
“Last year, we were afraid to like do something wrong,” Naranjo said. “This year we know we have each other’s backs.”
Roybal and sophomore Madlyn Romero will be the team’s outside hitters. Roybal is in her third season as a starter, and Romero was All-District 2AAAA as a freshman. Romero has great jumping ability and uses it effectively on her jump serves.
“This year, we’re not afraid to hit,” Roybal said.
Naranjo will share setting duties with the coach’s daughter, junior Karli Salazar, who was a substitute on last year’s team. Sophomore Danielle Bustos spells Peña at middle blocker. Junior Sabrina Duran is the new libero and sophomore Serena Garcia moves in as defensive specialist.
“We’re all small, so we have to play good team defense,” Roybal said.
Peña would like to go out with a winning season her senior year.
“We’re going to do really good in district, I know we will,” she said.