The Pitman High volleyball team collected a few firsts this season, with the most important one arguably being the school’s first-ever playoff win on Nov. 9 over Monterey Trail in the first round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I Tournament. Everything else seems to be, simply, icing on the cake.

The Pride’s latest series of accomplishments include having junior and three-year varsity starter Ashley Soli earn the Best Defensive Player of the Year award during the annual announcement of the all-Central California Conference teams earlier this week. Soli also made the first-team along with senior teammates Maci Murdock and Annabel Perez.

Sophomore Sierrah Miller and senior Karli Matter, who had been with the Pitman program for four seasons, secured spots on the second-team, while junior Vicki Rouse was the sixth Pitman player to earn all-league honors — the most in school history — by landing an honorable mention.

Oh, coach Kristen Pontes was voted as the CCC’s Coach of the Year.

The Pride finished the year with a school-best 25-8 overall record, but they’re already thinking about the future. However, they’ll miss key contributors like Fresno State-bound and second-team All-American Murdock and Perez, who hopes to play at San Diego City College.

“I’m very excited for the future of Pitman volleyball,” Pontes said, “and I strongly believe we will continue our success. We have 26 girls playing club volleyball this season and over 30 players returning next year.”

As for Turlock volleyball, two Bulldogs made the all-conference roster: senior Miranda Thomas was named to the second-team, and junior Sami Alaniz got an honorable mention.

To contact Chhun Sun, e-mail csun@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2041.