Submitted by Denair High School
Football may be king on Friday night, but there are two other sports being contested this fall by Denair High athletes – volleyball and, for the first time, boys and girls cross country. Here’s a quick look at what to expect from those teams.
Volleyball
There was big news even before the season started as the players had to absorb a late coaching change. Second-year coach David Lewellen, who is a walk-on, will not be available for at least half the season because of scheduling conflict with his law enforcement job.
With long odds of finding another coach at the last minute, Denair Athletic Director Darrin Allen stepped into the breach. He and volunteer assistant Yulissa Tafoya will fill the void, with Lewellen coming to as many practices as he can make.
“I can’t be here as much, but it’s made it an easier transition having all these people to help,” Lewellen told the Turlock Journal.
The Coyotes didn’t win a match last year, going 0-14 in the Southern League and 0-15 overall. Still, with four seniors returning, many of the girls having gained experience and the addition of a talented transfer, Denair has reasons for optimism.
The seniors are Vickie Adler, Ileah Brantley, Kelsey Park and Eva Varni. The transfer is 6-foot-1 outside hitter Cheyenne Souza, a sophomore who attended Pitman High in Turlock last year.
“She is very good,” said Lewellen. “She can almost be playing anywhere and I am really excited with the team this year. The fact that she wanted to come here and play with us is a huge confidence booster.” Continue reading “DHS Volleyball and Cross Country Teams Also in Action this Fall” »
