Defending champ Clovis North ready to be tested as prep volleyball season starts

Graduating eight seniors from a Central Section championship team could be a lot to overcome for any team.

That’s what Clovis North girls volleyball coach Lauren Winslow is facing — and she still has plenty of faith in her Broncos. Especially the returning players who had a part in the championship team.

“Still getting to know each other, getting to know how we play with each other,” Winslow said. “But I have a solid group of girls who work really hard. I’m excited to see what we’re able to do this season.

Five returners are back, led by junior Olivia Rogers, Winslow said of a group that includes seniors Lauren Ford and Taylor Davis, junior Loryn Ayerza and sophomore Colette Sutton.

Clovis North will start the season as The Fresno Bee’s top-ranked team.

The Broncos will be tested with their first two matches: against Garza and Central Valley Christian.

Winslow is entering her third season as the Clovis North coach after serving three seasons at Clovis East.

In her first two seasons at Clovis North she compiled a 68-16 overall record and 13-7 in the Tri-River Athletic Conference.

The Broncos finished third last season in the TRAC, but they picked it up in the playoffs, capped by a sweep over Clovis West in the final.

Winslow knows her team will get everyone’s best, which is why she scheduled tough teams to start the season.

“It’s kind of like the Pat Hill philosophy: anyone, anytime, anywhere,” said Winslow, referencing the former Fresno State football coach and one of his sayings.

“Not really looking to start the season anything easy. We want good quality competition because the TRAC is a barn-burner every single year.”

Preseason rankings

1. Clovis North

2. Clovis West

3. Bakersfield Christian

4. San Luis Obispo

5. Clovis

6. Centennial

7. Buchanan

8. Liberty-Bakersfield

9. Central Valley Christian

10. San Joaquin Memorial

11. Clovis East

12. Bullard

13. Garces

14. Frontier

15. Redwood

16. Arroyo Grande

17. Yosemite

18. Garza

19. Stockdale

20. Sanger

Anthony Galaviz

The Fresno Bee

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Anthony Galaviz writes about sports for The Fresno Bee. He covers the Las Vegas Raiders, high schools, boxing, MMA and junior colleges. He’s been with The Bee since 1997 and attended Fresno City College before graduating from Fresno State with a major in journalism and a minor in criminology. Support my work with a digital subscription