Lady Trojans Win League Title

At the Castle Park High gymnasium, there are no championship banners for Girls Volleyball. First year head coach, Lord Garcillano is quick to point out that despite winning only one game in the past two seasons, the 2010 team has not only won more games, but currently find themselves in the hunt for their first ever league title.

Garcillano, an Eastlake High graduate and former coach at Hilltop High, took over the program with a great sense of optimism. Having coached Girls Basketball at Castle Park and seeing the athleticism of many of the girls, he felt that he a solid volleyball program could be developed.

Before the season started Garcillano had each girl write down three individual goals and three team goals. Most wanted two simple things - improve their skills and win a banner.

"We had to start from the basics," said Garcillano. "It was all about three things - fundamentals, fundamentals and fundamentals."

After their first scrimmage on August 31, the team seemed to instantly decide that they could be a competitive team. The team finished the season with a 14-5 record and with a first place finish in the conference with a league record of 10-2. Although the Trojans league record is equal to that of Olympian High, Castle Park wins the conference based on a 2-0 record versus the Eagles during the regular season.

Some of the team standouts are Senior Darien Beltran, Sophomore Jocelyn Rojas and Freshman setter, Maya Lyda, who, with 411 assists, is one of the county leaders in this category.

Gracillano believes the girls are capable of not only making the playoffs, but making a strong showing.

"This is a very different program," said Garcillano. "They really want this now."