Robin Chandler’s first season as Manteca girls volleyball coach “didn’t count,” as she put it, but it wasn’t a complete waste of time either.
The COVID-19 pandemic pushed the season to the spring, lasted five weeks and no championships were awarded for any sport in the Valley Oak League. For the Buffaloes, however, it was still an opportunity to gear up for the full fall schedule to come with most of their players returning.
The spring season did come with some hassles, such as coronavirus protocols and scheduling conflicts for multisport athletes, but all in all Chandler thought her team benefitted from the experience.
“It still helps because the girls were on the court and getting touches on the ball,” Chandler said. “They were able to enjoy themselves, for sure.”
They got some good competition in the process. Manteca lost just two of its matches over the spring, and both were five-set thrillers against reigning VOL and Sac-Joaquin Section Division III champion Central Catholic. With 10 returning seniors, the Buffaloes are hoping they have what it takes to get over the CC hump for their first league title since 2017 and, perhaps, more. Manteca does not have a Section title for girls volleyball and hasn’t reached a postseason final since doing so in back-to-back seasons in 1989-90.
“When we took them to five, it made them realize that this team is beatable,” Chandler said. “I’m hoping it gave them the confidence to believe in themselves as a team and I think we’re getting there. With each win it builds their confidence even more.”
The early success has Manteca soaring in the MaxPreps computer rankings, where it tops the list in the state for Division III medium-sized schools. The Buffs are also No. 13 overall in California and No. 2 behind Pleasant Grove in the SJS. Pleasant Grove earned the Stockton Classic site title at Edison High.
Manteca is captained by a pair of fourth-year varsity players in libero Abbey Kadillak (4.5 digs per set, 25 aces) and middle blocker Karlie Spohn (2.5 kills per set, 19 blocks) along with setter Arielle Chandler (7.7 assists per set, 20 aces). Outside hitter Adrianna Powell (3.2 kills per set, 13 aces) is the leading attacker and an all-around threat. All four players have aspirations to play in college.
Outside hitter Camrenne Genilla (2.2 kills per set) is another key senior in the lineup. With the future in mind, Coach Chandler has brought up two sophomores — 6-foot-1 middle Isabella Sanchez and opposite Michaela Singh — to gain varsity experience and develop into go-to players who will eventually replace the current vets. Six-foot middle Courtney Washburn and defensive specialist Jill Santos are the Buffs’ only juniors.
Coming up with lineups has been a challenge for Chandler because of the depth and versatility of the team.
“It’s a nice problem to have, but everyone is good enough to get some playing time,” she said. “Honestly, I feel like we have all the tools to have such well-rounded team. We have every area covered — defense, setting, blocking and hitting. It’s probably going to come down to the mental game. As long as they stay focused and ready and take it one game at a time, I think we have a great shot this year.”
