SLO County volleyball team is gearing up to start season. Here’s the schedule
Summertime for most Cambria high school students means hanging out with friends, vacationing and kicking back with their digital technologies.
That’s not the case for student athletes participating in girls volleyball at Coast Union High School. They are spending a fair share of July engaged in the team’s vigorous conditioning program.
There is a sense of urgency to get in the best shape possible since the Broncos’ first game is Aug. 15 at home against Orcutt Academy.
Under the watchful eye of second-year head coach Maggie McIntyre, 17 girls are out for volleyball this season.
“Most of them are returning experienced players” and are “working hard on conditioning,” McIntyre explained in an email.
McIntyre learned the game from her highly acclaimed mentor, the late Pam Kenyon.
MgIntyre graduated from Coast Union in 2011 and is coaching both the junior varsity and varsity teams without an assistant.
“I’m not working with an assistant coach but I hope to have some assistance from alumni on occasion,” she said.
The coach hopes her team can get off to the same start as her 2022 team did — by winning the first four matches.
Her JV team went undefeated last season, and the varsity team placed second in the Coast Valley League.
Following their opening night home match against Orcutt Academy on Aug. 15, the Broncos host Santa Maria on Aug. 17.
Home matches for the JV team begin at 4 p.m., while the varsity team plays at 5 p.m.
On Aug. 22, the Broncos host San Luis Obispo Classical Academy, and on Aug. 25, they play at home against Laton High School.
That Laton contest is the first of five straight matches Coast Union will play at home.
On Aug. 31, the Bronocs host Shandon, and on Sept. 1, they play Laguna Blanca.
On Sept. 5, Tranquillity comes to Cambria.
Finally, on Sept. 7, Coast Union hosts Cuyama Valley.
The Pink Stampede, a well-attended tournament involving regional high school volleyball teams, was launched several years ago by Kenyon.
This year’s Pink Stampede is set for Saturday, Sept. 9.
The three remaining home matches for the Broncos are against Maricopa on Sept. 14; Valley Christian Academy on Oct. 5 and Coastal Christian on Oct. 12.