Ramona Girls Volleyball
by Keith Antigiovanni

Coach Connie Hunsacker is getting the team ready by participating in the Starlings a developmental volleyball club.

It might be the off-season for Ramona High School volleyball, but the team has already begun to prepare for next year after a fourth-place finish in the highly competitive Valley League.

"Typically, our league has very competitive teams: Escondido, Valley Center, San Pasqual and us," Ramona coach Connie Hunsacker said.

Returning players and young, upcoming players are participating in Starlings, a developmental volleyball club with more than 2,500 members throughout the United States and Trinidad. Starlings’ purpose is to broaden opportunities for girls to participate in club volleyball. The first club started in 1996 at Lincoln High School in San Diego.

"We like to get our returning players into an off-season program to keep their skills sharp and also develop new talent for the following season," Hunsacker said.

Despite the fourth-place finish, Ramona was seeded eighth overall and made it to the quarterfinal round last season. Hunsacker expects a much different squad next season, because seven of 11 players will graduate in June.

"Last year, we had a much bigger team and a good balance of offense and defense," she said. "We’ve got some exciting potential for next season. Though it’s still early, I expect our team to be very willing, quick, snappy, hard-working and aggressive next year."

In addition to the Starlings program, Ramona will host a preseason clinic from Aug. 10-14 for young players who want to learn the game, or for high school or club players to develop their skills.

"We have open gym on Wednesdays," Hunsacker said. "None of our off-season programs are mandatory, but we still get a good turnout."

For information contact Ramona High School at (760) 787-4000.