Volleyball has become a success story at Paloma Valley

Members of the Paloma Valley girls volleyball team huddle after a winning point. The Wildcats are 12-2. Menifee 24/7 photos by Doug Spoon

By Doug Spoon, Editor

The winning tradition established the last two seasons has carried over into another great start for the Paloma Valley High School girls volleyball team.

The Wildcats enter today's match against Centennial with a 12-2 season record. They have shown the ability to dominate opposing teams in the same manner the team did last year, when Paloma had its best season ever -- a 28-8 record, appearance in the CIF Southern Section finals and advancement to the CIF state regional semifinals.

Over the last two-plus seasons, the Wildcats have a combined record of 60-18. It's easy to see why girls in the area are filling up volleyball club rosters in preparing for a spot on the Paloma Valley roster. It's also easy to see why standout players from adjacent areas want to play here.

"The kids now see a good opportunity to do something special," said head coach Stephen Kaas (left), in his 17th year in charge of the program. "We're competing in a higher division now, but no one should be afraid to play at this level. The girls believe they're going to win. Even when they're up in a match, they are working even harder to be motivated."

There are many contributing factors to Paloma Valley's success: Height, experience and team chemistry, to name three.

The team has two players over 6 feet tall -- 6-foot-2 junior Shannon Dunkin and 6-foot-1 senior Jayde Shelton. So far this season, Shelton has 87 kills, which is second on the team to 5-10 Gabby Hollins, with 138. Junior Olivia Karwin stands 5-10, giving the team several players who can both get up for kills and blocks at the net.

Shelton leads the team with 47 blocks, followed by Dunkin with 33. Junior libero Gwen Paulson leads the way with 116 digs.

The program's success extends to the lower levels as well. The Wildcats JV team is 8-0 and won one of its sets by a perfect 25-0 score. The freshman team is 8-1. The attention the varsity players are getting is beginning to translate into college scholarships.

"Gabby [Hollins] has already committed to Portland State," Kaas said. "She's our kill leader and she's doing everything really well. I'm hoping her leadership and experience will continue to come through for us.

"Jayde [Shelton] is big and she jumps out of the gym. Audri [Guzman] is 5-9, but she plays big. Overall, our blocks have at least doubled from last year."

The Wildcats figure to be even better next week, when senior Lizzy Markovska becomes eligible. A transfer from crosstown Heritage High, Markovska is a 6-footer with phenomenal ability, Kaas said.

"Having Lizzy with us is really going to change the dynamics of the team," Kaas said. "She's an amazing individual. She has already committed to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, which is a top 25 team. We're hoping to go deep into the postseason and get her a full season."

When he isn't coaching high school girls volleyball in the fall, Kaas coaches a local club team for much of the rest of the year. Many of his players have made that sport their primary activity.

"A lot of coaches have trouble balancing club and high school volleyball," Kaas said. "I enjoy it. Club season starts Dec. 1 and goes through July. I get to see a lot of these same kids in the club world."

Left: Gabby Hollins goes up for a kill. Right: Hollins and Jayde Shelton meet at the net in a recent match.