The Vintage High School boys soccer team returns nine starters from its 2007 Monticello Empire League championship team, which stunned host Jesuit-Carmichael in the quarterfinals of the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division I playoffs.

George Martinez (two goals, five assists last year), Javier Cuevas and Brian Visser (two assists) are all starters that return to anchor the defense.

They will be joined by Jesus Gomez, Alex Ayala and Jose Estrada to form a cohesive and deep defensive unit, said coach Dennis Sweeney.

The midfield returns Alfonso Martinez (two goals, two assists), Christian Martinez (two goals, five assists), Jon Avalos (five goals, three assists), Christian Romero (two goals, three assists) and Juan Chavez (eight goals, six assists).

“They will be bolstered by Ricardo and Frankie Medina to form one of the better midfields in the section,” said Sweeney.

Goalkeeper Andres Ortiz is an excellent shot stopper who will solidify the defense, Sweeney said.

Forward Ricardo Moreno (12 goals, three assists) will return to provide firepower to the frontline.

Sweeney was Coach of the Year on the 2007 All-Napa County team for directing Vintage (18-4-3 overall) to a league title and a playoff split with nationally-ranked foes Jesuit and Davis.

Girls Water Polo

Vintage returns Liz Holman, Stefanie Frye, Mackenzie Whittaker, Brittany Murdock, Katrina Husted, Corinne Schafle and Lexi Baldwin.

Holman is an attacker/defender and is a four-year member of the VHS program. A team co-captain, she is a USA Water Polo Academic All-American and was named All-Sac-Joaquin Section Honorable Mention last year.

“Liz brings experience and skill to her position. Everyone on the team recognizes that Liz is a leader,” said coach Julian Szmidt.

Frye, a goalie, is a two-year member of the program.

“Stephanie is an extremely hard working player who brings an arrive-early-stay-late-do-more-than-is-expected attitude to our practices and games — frequently the first player on deck and the first to begin training,” said Szmidt.

Whittaker, an attacker, is a third-year player who has been improving and will make a contribution by driving on offense, said Szmidt.

Murdock, an attacker, is a three-year player who “plays with genuine enthusiasm and will bring a spark to the offense and defense whenever she plays,” Szmidt said.

Husted, an all-around player and three-year member, has the unique ability to play all three major positions — center, defender and attacker. She was All-MEL and All-Section Honorable Mention last year.

“We will utilize all of those skills this year differently against different opponents,” said Szmidt.

Schafle, playing all-around, is a two-year member of the team.

Baldwin, the center, has already made an impact by being selected to represent the Central California Youth All-Star team at the national tryouts in San Juan Capistrano last May.

Boys Water Polo

Ryan Hitzler (goalie), Clay Boydston (attacker) and Connor DelBondio (attacker) are the key returnees. Jesse Risinger (2-meter defense, attacker) is also back.

Kris Taylor, Mike Wiley, Joe Vinella, John Calforda, Connor Bockman, Danny Maguire, Alex Holman and Julian Nolan are also on the team.

It will be a challenging year for the Crushers with a young team and so few returning players, said coach Dean Wagner.

“Some players played this summer for the Napa Valley Water Polo Club Junior Olympic team and are in good shape and we are practicing hard to get the others up to speed,” said Wagner.

Girls Volleyball

“I’m thrilled with the turnout of girls this year — they are motivated and talented and so fun to work with,” new coach Kate Gauger said.

“Given what I’ve seen so far in tryouts, I am confident we’ll have a team of dedicated players who have a vision for what Vintage volleyball can be, and who are willing to fight for it.

“My expectations are that we are going to have a challenging, successful, and wonderfully fun year together.”

Marlee Davis, a freshman libero last year and the Defensive Player of the Year on the 2007 All-County team, is the Crushers’ top returnee.

Davis led the Sac-Joaquin Section in digs (418, good for 10.7 per game) and was also All-MEL. She will most likely play all-around.

“She brings talent to the offense,” said Gauger. “She’ll be a great force for us all the way around. We want to add to her repertoire of skills.”

Miranda Sanderson, Taylor Fultz, Noelle Pahk and Alex Schafle also return.

Gauger has a winning background as a coach. She led La Jolla High School to five Western League titles in five years as the Vikings’ coach. Gauger also coached La Jolla to four CIF San Diego Section Division III championships.

She takes over for Jim Cherniss, who stepped down following the 2007 season with the Crushers. They were 21-9 overall with a second-place finish in the Monticello Empire League and moved on to the Sac-Joaquin Section Div. I playoffs.

Boys, Girls Cross Country

The Vintage boys will be competing with a team full of experience — and will be supported by many new and up and comers — said coach Brian Pruyn. By returning four of the top five from last year’s third-place MEL team, “we hope to compete for the team and individual title,” said Pruyn.

Andrew Deck, who was second in league last year and is coming off a track season in which he ran a 4:27 in the mile, leads the pack. He’ll be followed by Zach Wagner, his younger brother Michael Deck, and two members of the Crushers’ 4x400 meter relay team, Dylan Buterbaugh and Rudy Reyes.

Mitchell Cooledge, Brady Bickham and newcomer Dave Cornes also figure to add to the team’s success.

On the girls side, the Crushers have two strong runners up front in Taide Guerra and Robin Pisor. Both finished in the top 10 at last year’s league championships and qualified for the section championships in track in the 3200. They will be followed by a very young group, including Trinity Furman and Tiana Lewis, who will be looking to make an immediate impact.

Girls Tennis

Coach Greg Ross said he has quite a challenge this year, as Vintage lost seven starting players to graduation. Five players return.

Taylor Peterson, who has been playing tournament-level tennis for a few years in Northern California, will play the No. 1 position on the singles ladder.

Lauren Welty returns and will play No. 2 singles.

“We are a very young team and my girls have been working hard to get ready for the season,” said Ross.

 

Girls Golf

Lucinda Knudson, Chantelle Fourie and Jordan Price return for Vintage.

Coach Tammie Mansuy is encouraged by the turnout.

Knudson spent most of the summer traveling throughout Northern California playing softball, but it “shouldn’t take long for her to get back into shape,” said Mansuy.