saratoga mens volleyball 2024 Season Preview(CA)

As the fall sports season approaches, the team at Saratoga High School is gearing up for what is sure to be an exciting year. Led by head coach Lori Gragnola, the team is focused on building trust and camaraderie among players, developing their skills, and ultimately dominating on the court. In this preview article, we spoke with Coach Gragnola to get a glimpse into what we can expect from the Saratoga team this season. According to Coach Gragnola, the keys to success for their team this year are confidence and teamwork. The familiar saying of “teamwork makes the dream work” holds true for this team. They understand that in order to achieve success, they must work together as a united front. This mindset will be crucial in facing the tough competition in their league. One of the biggest assets for the Saratoga team is their senior players. Coach Gragnola says that all five seniors – Kali Duvvuri, Sam Kau, Eric Norris, Edmund Hsu, and Scottie Rich – have been playing varsity since 10th grade. Their experience, leadership, and skills will be integral to the team’s success this season. Kali is usually a captain, unless he receives a technical foul during a game. In that case, the other seniors will rotate as captains and Kali will lead the players on the court. In addition to the veteran players, the Saratoga team also has four freshman who will be playing varsity this year: Dawson Yeh, Anson Hulme, Lawrence He, and Ahmed Abdalla. While they may be young, Coach Gragnola sees them as an important part of the team and building blocks for the future. Their energy, enthusiasm, and talent will be valuable assets to the team. But it’s not just about the players on the court – Coach Gragnola is also focusing on bringing the JV and varsity programs together. By organizing team dinners, games, and other bonding activities, she hopes to build trust and camaraderie between the two teams. This will not only strengthen their team dynamic, but also create a strong foundation for the future of the program. However, it won’t be an easy ride for the Saratoga team. As Coach Gragnola puts it, the competition in their league is tight. Thus, it is crucial for the players to have self-motivation and determination in order to succeed.