Ken Wynn has spent the past five years as an assistant for Turlock Christian High’s volleyball team, helping guide the Eagles to a state appearance and numerous post-season appearances. This season Wynn continues his work on the court with TC but he does so with a different title preceding his name — head coach.
Wynn enters his first season at the helm with an experienced group of girls, many of which were instrumental in last year’s third place Southern Athletic League finish and second round playoff appearance. Having graduated only one player from last year’s squad, TC will lean on juniors Sarah Amaral and Tiffany Franco and senior Arin Morelli to provide leadership and perform under pressure.
The Eagles, who struggle with numbers each year, have also moved four players up to varsity. Although these players, Madison Yagi, Victoria Vieira, Monique McMeechan, and Samantia Fabila, are inexperienced at the high school level their backgrounds with club teams in the area have prepared them for high level competition.
“Our key players have lots of experience,” Wynn said. “They’re looking pretty good overall. We’re running a new offense this year and they’ve took right to it, so skill-wise the team is coming together.”
TC’s new, quicker offense has been designed to carry the Eagles to the top of the SAL with rivals Ripon Christian High and Mariposa High, last season’s first and second place finishers. The first step to an improved season comes on Sept. 12 against Le Grand High, the team that tied for third with TC last year.
“We don’t want to finish any worse than last year,” Wynn said. “I’d really like to finish in at least second place in the SAL and get into the playoffs, maybe two to three rounds in.”
Wynn and his lady Eagles will prepare for the beginning of league play in the Golden Valley Tournament this weekend at Golden Valley High.