Last year, the girls volleyball team earned a respectable record of 12-2 after starting the season with an eight-game winning streak. When the team faced Gaithersburg, a member of The Washington Post’s all-Metro Top 10, they were defeated both times including a second round loss in the regional playoffs.
This year it’s a different story. Not only have the Wildcats defeated the Trojans at Gaithersburg High School, they have already clinched the MCPS Red Division title for the first time since 1998.
“All the teams in our division are pretty equal,” said coach Bill Morris. “It feels great to finally break through.”
With a win at Northwest on Monday and the defeat of Churchill Thursday, the team clinched the Montgomery County Red Division, earning a record of 7-4 overall. Key victories include defeating rivals Wootton, Whitman and B-CC. Despite losing star seniors Amelia Esenstad and Kathy Pao, the team returned with sophomores Stephanie Paul and Kristen Larrick and captains Jennie Zelenko and Eleanor Janhunen. Larrick has been leading the team with 58 blocks, while Paul has racked up 43 kills, displaying the strength of the sophomore class.
As division champs, the team will soon be inscribed for their efforts on the banner in the gym. As the team looks forward to the rest of their season and heading into playoffs, it will aim for a regional and state championship.
