BY TREVOR HORN
THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz
In a situation like the one the Inderkum girl’s varsity volleyball team is in—the best option is one.
As the team motto says: “One Team, One Dream.”
A season removed from a 21-6 record and a section playoff berth, Inderkum came into Tuesday’s cross-town rivalry match up against Natomas without a win so far this season.
And without a returning starter and no true team leader, first-year head coach Mitchell Mercado knows that having a full-team effort is the only way for his young team to succeed.
In impressive fashion, the Tigers (1-13 overall, 1-3 TCC) defeated the Nighthawks in straight sets (25-16, 25-5, 25-11) in Tri-County Conference action tonight, Oct. 9 at Inderkum.
“It is good to have that first win,” Mercado said. “It’s a good experience for the girls. They are really young.”
Mercado inherited a team with just one returning player. Lone senior and team captain Chelsea Carbah is the only player from the 2011 team.
But youth, Mercado said, is a blessing as a new coach with all new, young players.
“It’s nice to come into a whole new team,” Mercado said. “It’s nice that they are all so young and willing to learn. But if they were more experience we would have better results. But they are willing to soak up a lot of information and getting a lot of good experience for their age.”
Compiled of mostly sophomores who were on the freshman team in 2011, the Tigers varsity volleyball team can now wake up and head to practice knowing there is a light at the end of the tunnel— something to show for all of their hard work which dates back to summer practices.
“They have been doing everything I have asked in practice,” Mercado said. “But if the results aren’t there, it is tough for the girls to see they are actually working towards something. This first taste of victory will add to the rest of the season.”
The Tigers got off to a hot start in the first set. Using a 9-0 run midway through the first set, led by kills from Winta Yohannes and Carbah, the Tigers took the first set 25-16.
The Tigers continued to dominate in the second set, going up 2-0 with a 25-5 set while finishing off the third and final set 25-11.
Natomas falls to 1-13 and 0-3 in TCC play after losing on the road at Inderkum.
“I know that any cross-town rival, that is always a big match for the season,” Mercado said.
On Thursday, Inderkum plays Yuba City at home in TCC action while Natomas stays on the road with a match against Woodland.
The two district rivals face off again to finish the regular season at Natomas on Oct. 25.
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