The City College Lady Knights volleyball team started their season with an opening win over Santa Ana College three sets to zero sets.

Middle blocker Imani Griffin led the way with 13 kills and four blocks. Jaclyn Kreymborg was strong on the defensive side with 24 digs and also added two service aces. Cat Wright also chipped in with 21 assists, seven digs and three service aces. The Lady Knights win the sets 25 – 16, 25 – 22 and 25 – 9.

Catching up with Women’s Volleyball Coach Dede Bodner, she managed to share her vision for the 2013 season via an email interview.

“We have a lot more depth on the team this year,” Coach Bodner said. “Our offense is more effective and we are able to terminate more balls, which turns into more points. “

She continued “I believe we can do quite well. I hope that with our stronger offense we can take first in our Pacific Coast Conference and hopefully continue on to be very successful in state. Once again, having played in the beach volleyball in spring this really gave our team a boost in the ‘ball control,’ which was needed.

With teams, turnover is always a concern, for outgoing sophomores and incoming freshmen as well as new recruits, so Bodner eased those concerns quickly.

Bodner added “We have always had a great defensive team and this year is no exception! WE have some big terminators, which I think will be the difference in our win/loss record, Bodner added. Also, since we had a beach volleyball team in spring we have a lot more ‘ball control.'”

“Our key players all competed on the beach last spring and we won the Pacific Coast Conference Beach Finals and went on the finals for the state up at Irvine Valley College. With all that extra competition and practice the girls on the team look better than ever!” she said.

There are always standout players, players who perform on those elite levels and Coach Bodner shared her standout players to keep an eye for.

“Our middle blocker, Imani Griffin, is a great player: she can move all around the setter with a very well-rounded offense, Bodner said. Also, our outsides are a lot more physical. One of our key terminators is Maiquel McLeish who can put some ‘heat’ on the ball. Also, our setter/opposite, Karlee Troeh, is a ‘Power’ hitter for us as well.”

Ladies volleyball is on a mission to win their conference, no question about it.

For more information, schedules and updated scores on their season, please go to the following website: http://www.sdcity.edu/Athletics