“It takes a certain amount of mental fortitude and discipline to play quality volleyball for two hours straight, and to lock in at the end where it all matters,” varsity volleyball coach Jonathan Nuttall told the Tribune this week.
The Lady Greyhounds showcased that skill in their Sept. 1 meeting with Middletown, and on Sept. 3 against Credo. They marked two straight wins for the preseason Healdsburg volleyball team, matching two straight wins from St. Helena and Santa Rosa late in August.
“I think these are the first two set-five wins I’ve had with this program, which is really exciting,” coach Nuttall said after their wins last week against Middletown and Credo.
That puts the team even for the year, 4-4, as it gets ready to face Rancho Cotate on Tuesday night, facing off against the illustriously named Violet Hackamack.
Coach Nuttall said, “Hannah Levine-Smith has been the lynchpin of our offense as expected, with 12 kills against Middletown and another 16 vs. Credo. Sophomores Chiara Mork and Bella Marguglio are stepping up as well to support her, both with at least five kills in each match. Junior setter Hannah Jenkins also deserves a shoutout for her 31 and 27 assists in those two matches, respectively.”
Later in the week Healdsburg hosts the Willits Wildcats, on Thursday at 6:30pm, then unknown foes in the Saints Varsity Tournament. Serious NCS Redwood competition does not begin until Sept. 22, against Piner.
Nuttall reflected on the team’s outlook. “This is a team that wants to win, believes they can win and is willing to put in the work to prove it,” he said. “I think this is a very good sign for the rest of the season.”
