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Deer Valley Skyhawks boys volleyball, softball start over
Posted
Compiled By Richard Smith, Independent Newsmedia
Spring high school sports have started at Deer Valley High School.
Most of the school’s team sports remain in the 4A conference. Some sports, like tennis and track and field, retain the old division system and Deer Valley is in Division II for those sports.
West Valley Preps and the Glendale Independent asked the school’s coaches about their teams. Here are their responses.
Boys Volleyball
Coach: Eric Palmer (17 years as a coach in the program. 8 years as Co-Head Coach. 1st year as Head Coach after the 30 year Hall of Fame career and retirement of Kim Ulrich-Suss.)
2019 Record: (15-2 overall, 7-1 region, lost in first round of 5A playoffs)
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? This is a season of opportunity… with only one returning varsity player, this group is young and talented who have been working extremely hard for their opportunity to play varsity. This season will be a process in which we grow together, improve together, and win together. We will work hard and improve everyday so we are ready to peak at the end of the season when it counts the most.
What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? Gain confidence through experience, learn how to win close games, and attack our process by being the very best version of ourselves everyday.
Who are your team leaders? We are led by senior captain Brady Kuhn, a 3rd year varsity member, and the lone returner from last year’s team. Brady will impact our team on the court with his smart aggressive play at the net. His confidence to stay aggressive when it counts the most will help us win matches.
Who are newcomers to the varsity squad who could make an impact? Senior Josh Erickson will impact our team at the net, Senior Michael Morris will help secure us defensively, and all the juniors have worked extremely hard for this opportunity to make the leap to varsity.
What are the primary goals for this year’s team? Win enough games to qualify for the 5A state tournament.
Softball
Coach: Taylor Haegle (first year as Deer Valley coach)
2019 Record: 3-18 overall, 0-8 region
Region: 4A West Valley
Top returning players? Lauren DePalma, Sr., OF
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? I have a lot of hard-working young ladies who are craving to have a good season. They come out everyday with positive attitudes and strong work ethics. I think the desire these ladies bring to want to do better and learn the game is one of our best attributes.
What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? We all need to get used to working with each other. The returners are not only welcoming new girls to the team, they are also welcoming a whole new staff of coaches. I think the best progress we will see throughout the season will occur when we get comfortable as a team. I told the girls that we are not a team that can just show up and win games; we are going to have to work to achieve the goals we are setting for ourselves. They have really been wrapping their minds around that and it has been reflecting in their effort as we get closer to our first game.
Who are your team leaders? Lauren DePalma, Mikayla Cuellar and Madison Jones. Lauren and Mikayla are seniors this year and lead by example. They come out and push the girls to do better. It’s awesome to see them take that leadership role right from the get-go. Madi is a sophomore and just leads by her skill and ability. She’s not a super vocal player, but girls respect her based on what she can do on the field.
Who are newcomers to the varsity squad who could make an impact? I have a sophomore, Harley Saali (sounds like sally) who is the definition of a hard-worker. She comes out ready to go every day with the best “can-do” attitude and just a high-quality person. I think the team is really going to benefit from having someone set the standard so high with what we are expecting on practices and in games. Freshmen Jaylie Baird and Jayden Sanchez. Both girls play club together and you can tell with their chemistry that they have. As a freshman, Jayden has already started setting herself apart just by being vocal and encouraging the older girls to push-through during conditioning or harder drills. It’s not common to see that from a freshman in the second week of the season, so that’s been pretty cool to experience.
What needs to happen for your squad to reach the state tournament, or achieve the goals you have set this season? We want to have a total opposite season than the program had last year. We are focusing on fundamentals and learning the game. I have players who don’t have a lot of experience and just need to get comfortable playing. We are starting from the ground up and I’m excited to have such an energetic group of young ladies who are truly craving to have a better season.
