On August 23 to August 24 James Logan High School’s girls’ volleyball team traveled to Las Vegas for the Vegas Classic Volleyball Tournament. The Union City high school came out in third place with teams from California, Utah, Nevada Idaho and Alaska.
With 32 teams in attendance, Logan climbed up to third place with a tournament record of 5-1. “It was our first time participating in the Vegas Classic and our expectation was to win the entire tournament,” shared the team’s head coach Matthew Guzman. “We played teams from Southern California, Utah, Alaska and Nevada. We strive to maintain a championship and winning standard in our volleyball program here at James Logan.”
According to Guzman the team is made up of both returning players and newcomers. Returning players make up the core starting lineup. Since the Vegas Classic is a preseason tournament, winning was only one of the goals that the team set out to accomplish. “Some other goals were to use this tournament to gain experience and build chemistry within our team. It was a preseason tournament, so we were focused on competing at a high level and getting ready for the regular season,” explained Guzman.
Although the Colts were able to claim third place, Guzman explains that there are still challenges that the team faces. “At these high-level tournaments, our team is usually undersized compared to our competition. Our team doesn’t have any player taller than 5’10. We typically have to adjust and overcome defending taller teams with blockers over 6’0.”
Colts’ volleyball is still in the beginning stages of their season, not yet having started league play, but they have already set their sights on this year’s team goals. One goal is repeating their 2023-2024 season achievement of becoming undefeated Mission Valley Athletic League champions. Also winning a North Coast Section (NCS) championship which was last won in 2018 and qualifying for California Interscholastic Federation State championships.
In the team’s latest match on Thursday, August 29 the Colts seem to be on track with their goals after having had a huge comeback win against defending NCS D1 champs, Foothill High School in Pleasanton. The match went to five sets with the following scores: 25-20, 16-25, 23-25, 25-22, 15-13.
Coach Guzman shares, “[It was an] exciting game with back-and-forth rallies. Excellent play and competition from both teams.” The match’s standout players include co-captains McKenzie Anderson and Leann Jung. Anderson, Junior outside hitter, had 18 kills and 37 digs. Jung, Junior setter, had 35 assists, 12 digs, 7 kills and 2 aces.
James Logan volleyball’s next game is an away game on Thursday, September 5 against Berkeley High School at 7pm.
To keep up with the Colts Volleyball’s upcoming season schedule, visit maxpreps.com.
