The Mustangs volleyball team is fired up to get back on the court and begin the season on the right foot.
The team is lead by veteran head coach Lou Panzella who has plenty of years of experience on his belt and knows how to win. In his 24 years of coaching, he has recorded a nearly 500 wins with both Antioch and Deer Valley High School. On top of that he has coached 12 years for the United States Volley Ball Association. Panzella most recently came off a 42-2 season and a CIF Championship with the Deer Valley boys’ team.
Panzella is respected by his players for his skills and leadership that translate to success on the court. Outside hitter Taylor Scriven has played for Panzella before, for club volleyball, and looks forward to playing under someone familiar.
Middle blocker Aleigha Williams added, “he’s the best coach I’ve ever had.” Outside Hitter Anastasia Qwa added. “He’ll make the program a lot better, he’s passionate about volleyball.”
Panzella will be aided by assistant coach Tyler Trolson who was a three-year varsity starter at Deer Valley High School.
The team is excited to get out on the court and have a competitive season.
“I’m excited to get back to playing it again,” said Qwa. While the team has goals as a whole, players have individual goals such as Williams who plans to finish her last year as a Mustang strongly.
The season has not begun, but despite this, the team is already building good chemistry. The team already shows strong qualities that could potentially be a winning team. “We are able to finish strong no matter what, even if we’re winning or losing,” said Scriven.
This team shows strengths that will help the team compete in the Bay Valley Athletic Conference. Panzella highlights that he has multiple girls who have played competitively at the high school level.  Another strength, according to Panzella, is the ball control of the team. He also added, “the starting lineup will be competitive.”
The team has some minor kinks to work out but nothing serious enough to impede their season. Since the season has just started the team will learn to better their communication skills according to Panzella. “We need more communication and time to get to know each other better,” said Scriven.
Williams and the rest of the team are confident going into the season saying, “We have no weaknesses.”
The team plans to bond during the duration of the season and improve their skills.
“We plan to get better throughout the year, we will try our hardest,” said Scriven.
While some of the players do not have any particular games they look forward to most, Qwa looks forward to playing Napa because she knows the game will be a challenge.
Panzella looks forward to October 11 when Los Medanos takes on Contra Costa College. The reason being is the meaning behind that night, it is Dig Pink night in support of breast cancer awareness.
While this team is excited to get back out on the court, the players expect big things.
“We’ll go far, we have heart,” said Freshman Taylor Morgan.