The562’s coverage of Jordan Athletics is sponsored by former LBUSD superintendent Chris Steinhauser.
The562’s coverage of Jordan Athletics is sponsored by Panthers alum John Timu and the Timu Foundation
Jordan coach Lara Stone continues to build the program on the Northside, as she enters her third season coaching the Panthers’ indoor team and in the Spring will enter her fourth season coaching the Jordan beach team. A teacher on campus, Stone has managed to increase numbers in the program as well as depth despite the construction of the school’s new gym meaning that they’re bussing to other locations for all practices and matches.
“Last year was McBride, this year is Cabrillo, they’ve got two gyms and they’ve been great,” said Stone. “It means we’re able to book more games so we’ll have three a week. Our players are here because they like playing volleyball, so we want to let them do that.”
Whereas in years past, low numbers limited depth and created other issues, Stone was happy to see better participation this year. That’s meant the team had a mandatory summer program this year, and a 13-player varsity, as opposed to matches previously where the team has had to compete with only six or seven players at times.
“We have more returners on varsity this year than we’ve ever had, and we have four seniors,” she said. “It’s a program wide step forward–we’ve worked really hard on building that.”
The four returning seniors are Yuri Rodriguez, a pin hitter, middle blocker Stephanie Rosillo, MB/OH Precious Omolafe, and Ace Acevedo, the team’s captain who set for them last year.
“They’ve all really learned multiple positions and adapted to roles because we’ve had such a small team,” said Stone.
Sophomore Krissa Anjel Sibayan will take over setting duties this year, and in addition to the four seniors she’s got options including Abigail Guadarrama, Joselin Castillo, Lizette Arellano, and sophomore Kara Cooks around her.
Rodriguez said she’s been happy with how the team has built over the years.
“I’m one of the seniors to set an example for the incoming players,” she said. “We’re having team bonding times which is important because we want everyone to go in with the same mindset about volleyball.”
For Stone, the growth this year is a win in and of itself. The team began doing offseason weight training and conditioning this year, which has already born fruit–they beat Dominguez and Magnolia in five sets already this season.
