Tigers open 2019 volleyball season with win, improve to 2-1. LHS hosts Monache Wednesday

Saturday, August 31, 2019 - 11:14am By The Leader Staff

Lemoore's Alexis Ramponi scores against Sunnyside's Megan Hernandez Tuesday night in the Lemoore Event Center. The Tigers beat Sunnyside in four games.

Gary Feinstein/Feinsteinfotos

Lemoore’s varsity girls’ volleyball team hoped to improve upon its disappointing 2018 season during which it posted an unimpressive 14-15 overall record while falling to 2-7 in the West Yosemite League. Judging by its season opener Tuesday night in the Event Center, the Tigers are off to a good start.

Lemoore rolled over visiting Sunnyside, defeating the visitors in four sets: 25-7, 20-25, 25-16, and 25-16. The Tigers also came up with a win against Edison (8/22) before dropping their first match of the season, a 3-2 loss to Tulare Union on Aug. 26.

”It was a good season opener,” said the Tigers' coach, Valerie Burkette. “Things were clicking. They were playing together as a team.”

Lemoore’s roster is light on experience, having just three seniors in the overall lineup: Kennedy Rodrigues, Alexis Ramponi, and Tayler Hill. Juniors included Tierra Chambers, Mia Scammell, Ariel Andrade, Kailee Holaday, Alexia Vancil, Rilee Mendoza, Isabella Stevens, and Osiris Sisco.

Upcoming Schedule

9/4 at LHS vs Monache 6:30 p.m.

9/6 at TBA Central California Classic Tourney

9/7 at TBA Central California Classic Tourney

9/10 Redwood at LHS 6;30 p.m.

9/12 at El Diamante 6:30 p.m.

9/18 at Golden West 6:30 p.m.

9/25 at Mt. Whitney 6:30 p.m.

The Tigers have a pair of sophomores, Adriana Hawkins and Mariana Rojas, and one freshman on the team this year, Maddelyn Kelly.