Even though the Cerritos College women’s volleyball team has no key returning players, it is ready to start the season. Last season the team lost in the playoffs to Long Beach City College by a score of 15-4, 15-3 and 15-3. The team finished with a record of 15-4 overall and second place in the South Coast Conference with a record of 9-3.

Cerritos coach Teresa Ortega said that she is not worried about not having any returning key players, saying that the new players have good potential.

She said, “We need to improve in all areas of the game.

“The two areas that we need to improve the most are serving and passing. Because due to the new rule change, if we miss a serve the other team automatically gets a point.

She said that Long Beach, Pasadena, and El Camino are the teams to watch out for this season.

“I think we can match up against those other teams.”

Defense specialist Lilly Cabrera said that the team looks good. “We have lots of talented players.”

“We have to help each other out. We have to motivate each other.”

“I think we will give those other teams a good match.”

Ortega said, “I don’t know how long it will take the team to be one the best teams in conference.

“As the season goes on I am looking for the team to improve, and that should take the pressure off of them.”

The Falcons will play in scrimmages Aug. 31 at Riverside and Sep. 5 at Cerritos, and travel to Prescott, Arizona for a tournament Sep. 7 and 8.

Ortega said, “We are going to play tough teams in the Arizona tournament.

“What makes me think that the team is ready to play is that in practice the team feels that it is ready to start the season.

Middle Blocker Vanessa Sed said that the team is starting to build team chemistry.

She continued, “We need to come ready to play.

“August 31 is going to be a practice game for us. In that game we will find other areas to work on.

“We have a good chance of making state.”