Season tips off for local school sports
While Friday showcased the talents of local football players, tonight will highlight the skills of the local volleyball players and teams.
A majority of local teams will be opening the 2017 season later tonight with a few remaining in town to open the season.
One nonleague matchup that will featured two local teams is the contest between Calipatria and Holtville highs.
The Hornets will host tonight’s contest, which is set to begin at 6 p.m. and will likely be a good early test for both teams.
The teams split their two meetings last season with Holtville taking the first 3-0 and Calipatria taking the second, also 3-0.
Additionally, both teams will compete in Div. IV at the start of the CIF-San Diego Section playoffs giving today’s game playoff implications.
The game will also be the Vikings’ first under new head coach Chelsey Strahm, who led the program at Imperial High for eight seasons.
Also opening the season at home today is Central Union High.
The Spartans have one game under their belt having faced West Shores last week.
Central is returning a solid group of starters to the court this season and will be hosting Kofa in its home opener.
The Spartans are also under new direction this year as Bernadette Marcuson took over the program in the spring.
Similar to the Spartans, Imperial High is also playing in its second game of the season and first home game of the year.
The Tigers opened against Mission Bay on Thursday and will return today to host Cibola in Jill Lerno’s debut as head coach.
Lerno served as the junior varsity coach prior to taking over the varsity team this year.
Southwest High will also open at home tonight, with all three levels hosting Coachella.
Calexico High is the lone program to open on the road as the Bulldogs will open against San Luis similar to last season.
The Bulldogs are also with a new coach this year in Yvanna Lopez, who served as the program’s JV coach last year.