The562’s season previews for the 2022-23 school year are sponsored by Vertical Raise, the official team fundraising partner of The562.
The562’s volleyball coverage is sponsored by Misty May-Treanor and the Dream in Gold Foundation
Wilson girls’ volleyball is much better prepared for this season under second-year coach Gerald Aquiningoc. He was hired about a week before last season started, but this year he’s been able to build a summer program and get his three levels in sync.
“There’s a good energy in the gym as we work through and define our systems to figure out who we are systematically, offensively and personnel wise,” Aquiningoc said. “It’s going to be a fun year and if we can fastback the development of our setters we’re going to be a good team.”
Wilson is inexperienced in the middle but has good physicality and athleticism at the pins. Outside hitters Chloe Pravednikov and Allanah Smith will be the go-to offensive threats. Pravednikov already has a scholarship offer from Cal Poly and has interest from Pepperdine and UC San Diego.
There are three setters competing for two spots as Aquiningoc tinkers with a 6-2 system. Kierin Adams, Camille Agrupis and Deia Deledonne will need to be flexible and coachable if they want to take the starting spot.
“It’s a matter of getting our setters comfortable with running a tempo offense and going faster,” Aquiningoc said.
The three swingers at the opposite hitter spot are Valerie Coward, Grace Domingo and Kate Johnson. There are also three middle blockers trying to win the starting spot. Aquiningoc wants middles Emiya Green, Kate VanderWal and Courtney Johnson to stay active no matter what.
“I need them to be a threat and draw those (opponents) middle blockers in so we have one-on-ones at the pins, and if we get that we’re going to be hard to stop,” Aquiningoc said.
Libero Sydney Scott leads the back line defensively.
“Our league is really competitive and we’ve got to move the needle each week,” Aquiningoc said. “We’re probably going to take some lumps but we’ve got to continue to compete. The first half of the season was rough last year but came on at the end and we had some good quality wins.”
The Bruins will take on some quality competition like Harvard Westlake and Los Alamitos before league play starts.
