Many ‘Aha Moments’ During Eagles’ Second Beach Volleyball Season

Things are looking up for College of the Siskiyous' volleyball program, which is now competing in its second season of spring beach volleyball.

Among the signs of growing success are three Eagle beach volleyball team members who set new school records during last fall's indoor season.

It's also a step forward that the college is working towards starting construction of its own beach volleyball facility in a couple months. That means no more traveling to Redding or Ashland in the future to hold practices on sand.

"We're super excited about that," said head volleyball coach Lyndi Cadola, who's been filling in as the beach volleyball coach while Jess Petricevic has been on leave for the birth of her son, Isaiah. Those coaching replacement roles were reversed in the fall when Petricevic filled in while Cadola was on leave for the birth of son, Crue.

Cadola says Eagle players have responded to all the coaching changes by becoming "a very player-led team. They've developed their own identity and hold each other accountable. Practices are intense with a lot of conditioning. They're strong and motivated."

Of the three returning sophomores on the beach volleyball roster, two are school indoor volleyball record holders.

Isabella Colombo of Naselle, WA, a setter for the indoor team, broke her own school record for assists in a season with 639 last fall. She also holds the school record for most assists per set in a season.

Amelia Gastelum of Seaside, OR, the indoor team's libero, set the school record for service aces in a season with 58, surpassing a mark Colombo established at 43 her freshman season, then topped with 48 as a sophomore. Gastelum is also second on the Eagles' all-time list for most digs in a season (348) and most service aces per set in a season.

When it comes to digs, Siskiyous' school record list is loaded with players from the past three fall seasons, led by Ashley Quizon's 370 in 2023. Quizon also holds the record for most digs per set in a season.

And there's more. Ajhana Tagler of Winslow, AZ, one of eight freshmen on the beach volleyball roster, established a new school indoor record this past fall for total blocks in a season (57).

Sophomore Jacqueline Bridwell of Yreka is the only Eagle beach volleyball player who didn't play for the indoor team.

Freshman Sadie Graviet of Emmett, ID, led the indoor team in kills and joined Colombo on the 1st Team All-Golden Valley Conference list last fall.

Freshman Quincy Paarsch of Lakeport, OR, is also on the school's all-time list for most service aces in a season after hitting 42 this past fall.

Other freshmen on the beach volleyball team are Sarah Speasl of Eugene, OR; Heitiare Moala of Medford, OR; Madeline Gibson of Hansen, ID; Samantha Oakley of Reno, NV; and Zoe Brooks of Kellogg, ID.

Speasl is the only freshman who had significant past experience competing on sand. Along with the sophomores, Cadola said Speasl has been a leader this spring and has been working well with Graviet playing the No. 1 spot in matches.

The Eagles have been experimenting with switching pairings this spring, but overall Cadola said it's a team with good athletic ability and players who like to compete. "They're open to instruction and learning how it will help them indoors. They've had a lot of aha moments."

Coach was pleased with the team's play when they won two of their four matches the last week of February. After a 3-2 loss to Sacramento City, the Eagles defeated Folsom Lake, 3-2, then defeated Solano the next day, 3-2, after a loss to Cosumnes River.

Gastelum has been teaming with Moala or Oakley to form pairings that Cadola describes as "super scrappy. They play with a lot of fire and energy. It's fun to watch the way they feed off each other. We're hoping to get Amelia recruited."

As opposed to indoor volleyball's front row-back row specialization, beach volleyball is a two-against-two game that requires players to do it all: serving, receiving serve, digging, spiking, blocking. Cadola says the differences between playing on hardwood and sand helps players expand their skills.

She said Colombo has been finding her beach volleyball groove this spring while teaming with Moala, Tagler or Paarsch.

Tagler has been adjusting to not being able to hit as hard when playing on sand, and that's "making her a more dynamic player," Cadola said.

Oakley and Paarsch teamed to win a three-set match against Sacramento City (21-13, 17-21, 15-12) as did Gibson and Bridwell (21-17, 16-21, 15-11).

A setter for the indoor team, Cadola said Gibson is "getting more consistent at hitting" while playing on sand, while Bridwell "is known for her wicked serve and one-overs. She reads the ball so well."

In the Eagles' 3-2 win over Folsom Lake, Paarsch and Tagler won in straight sets, 21-10, 21-18.

Among Golden Valley Conference schools, only Siskiyous, Lassen and Feather River have beach volleyball teams this year. So, while many other NorCal teams are playing league matches in March, the Eagles have just one match on their schedule this month, the 20th against Southern Oregon University in Ashland.

The Eagles will play their four conference matches in April, two each against Lassen and Feather River, all at Feather River in Quincy. They'll finish the season with the GVC Pairs Tournament on April 24th in Quincy.

By Steve Gerace