Volleyball Primed for Big Season

The Lady Falcons look to continue on the program’s tradition of success.

Christian Brothers Lady Falcons volleyball team has become a perennial power in the Sacramento area for years, having success year in and year out. Losing several players to graduation, the team has come back with a strong core and some up and coming underclassmen.

The core of the team has experienced success at a high level along with the playoff success and the younger players feed off of the leadership demonstrated by captains Sydney Rankin (’14), Jayme-Lee Bulda (’14), and Nastassja Bowman (’15).

Their coach, Ms. Diane Heine (’71), gave her insight to what we have in store for this season.

“I am very excited about this year’s team,” she says. “I feel we have a great blend of experience and youth which will lead to success.”

Coach Heine also has high expectations of the team this year.

“Our first goal is to make playoffs, and we are approaching that goal one day at a time,” she says. “Anything past that is a bonus for all the hard work the girls put in.”

She also acknowledged the league will give them some competition. League powerhouses include defending CVC champs Oakmont, and Bella Vista, another historically strong program. The Falcons will be tested this year, but they will be ready for the tight competition thanks to their extremely tough non-conference schedule.

“I think we have a really strong team this year, with a lot of big strong girls,” Nastassja says. “We just need to work on staying in control from beginning to end. I expect us to make sections and maybe state. I am almost positive we will make section but the challenge will be to win that and advance.”

Nastassja also addressed a unique situation she must deal with: adjusting from playing with her older sister to playing with her younger sister.

“It is a lot different. Playing with [older sister] Tatijana ’13 helped me a lot because she looked out for me and kind of guided or mentored me. Now I have to do that for Paloma (’17) and it is way different,” the junior admits.” ”

It has taken some getting used to but it will work out.”

There are high expectations across the board for this womens’ volleyball season. Watch out, the Lady Falcons are ready for their breakout season.