GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - It’s been about a full season for Gridley High School volleyball coach, Ian Perry, who took over for the varsity squad a few games into last season. He sees a lot of promise in his junior dominant team, led by seniors Lorena Martinez (Libero position), Rubi Tena, and Eliza Sannar. With a heavy schedule set for the long season, Coach Perry is hoping to get the team a lot of game time experience. As of their last match against Orland on Thursday, September 26th, the varsity Bulldogs have a record of 10-12 (0-2 in league standings). They’ve matched up against some very tough opponents in Wheatland and Orland most recently, but during Harvest Bowl week (September 19th) the Lady Bulldogs swept the Lions in three straight sets. 

The freshman dominant JV squad, coached by Gridley High School graduate and former volleyball player, Aftyn Anderson, has been on a roll in recent weeks. In her second year as JV head coach, Anderson has pushed her younger players to play with an energy her and her teammates used to play with years ago. Coach Perry acknowledged that the fundamentals start at the JV level and Anderson has done a great job molding the younger girls into elite volleyball players as they move on to the varsity level. Sophomores Haven Counihan and Aubrey Ponciano help lead the team. As of their last match against Orland on Thursday, September 26th, the JV Lady Bulldogs had won five straight matches, all of which they only lost one set. At the JV level it too is about getting experience as the Lady Bulldogs sit with a record of 9-10 (2-0 in league standings). 

The Lady Bulldogs have about eight more matches remaining in the regular season. Their next game will be at home versus Paradise on October 8th starting at 5:00 PM.