Pirates Sweep Season Opener
Modesto JC volleyball started their season Friday with a double header at home. In their opening campaign, Pirates did not drop a set defeating Columbia (25-14, 25-13, 25-14) and Porterville (25-16, 25-20, 25-16).
Crucial returners for the Pirates led the offense. Big 8 All Conference, 1st team, OH Ava Chiesa (Turlock HS) led all players with 18 kills and 10 digs. Elizabeth Johnson (Turlock HS) began a new role this season moving from the middle to the outside and earned 14 kills. Mikayla Kaufhardt (El Capitan HS) returns in the middle and added 9 kills and 2 blocks. Kylie Kriese (Gregori HS) adds from the service line with 7 aces.
Key newcomers to the Pirates 2022 roster are transfer MB Lily Clemmer (Central Catholic HS, Dominican University), S Kaylee Mulhearn (Connections Academy), L Isabel Nunez (Gregori HS). Clemmer contributed right away to the offense with 10 kills from the middle. Mulhearn stepped in as a freshman setter, running a 5-1 offense, with 50 assists and lead the team to a .288 hitting efficiency. She also dominated from the end line leading the Pirates with 14 aces. Nunez steps right into replacing the Pirates Big 8 All Conference, 2nd team, libero from the '21 season. She made 8 digs and added to the offense by serving 9 aces.
Up next for the Pirates:
8/31 at Merced College 6:00pm
9/2 at home – 2:00pm Solano, 4:00pm Marin