Calabasas defeats Agoura in volleyball

The Calabasas girls’ volleyball team defeated Agoura in three straight games, 25-19, 25-16 and 25-11 in a Marmonte League match played at Agoura last week.

The Coyotes’ head coach Charlie Gage, in his eighth year at the helm, and first-year Charger coach Melissa Fabulich, spoke with The Acorn about their respective teams.

"So far so good," said Cage when asked how the season was going for Calabasas, which improved to 2-2 on the year with its win over Agoura and 1-2 in league.

"We have kind of a young team. But they’re pulling together," said Gage. "I’ve made a lot of changes to help us get into a better rhythm and flow and the girls seem to be putting it together."

Lucy Knipe, Alexa Sherman, Brittany Lin and Sarah Mendelsohn lead the Coyotes. Ariela Shaya, Kari Kagan, Delia Sevcik and Michelle Burton also contributed to the win over Agoura. Stephanie Piayan, Cassie Remage, Nicole Bakva and Jillian Fenchel round out the roster.

The Calabasas coach explained his team’s strengths. "Ball control and we play pretty aggressive defense," said Gage. "And our serving is pretty tough and we pass well off the serve. And we don’t let a lot of balls drop without someone going after it."

The goal for the Coyotes is to make the playoffs said the coach.

"That’s what we’re shooting for right now," Gage said.

This is Calabasas’ second year in the Marmonte League after having played in the Frontier League. The Coyotes finished tied for fourth place last year and need to improve to third place to reach the playoffs.

"I believe it’s conceivable," Gage said about the prospects of making the playoffs, "if we start getting into a good rhythm and flow."

Despite the win over Agoura, Gage said his team can get better.

"Agoura is a good team, but I think we played down a little bit to their level," said Gage. "A win is a win, and I’m happy about what we did, but I think we haven’t played our best volleyball, yet. The season is still young."

Fabulich only recently took over as head coach for Agoura. The previous head coach resigned.

"This was our first game with me being the new coach," said Fabulich. "This was Day One, Practice One, Game One, all in one.

"The girls are playing amazing," Fabulich added. "I think now that we have everything settled we’re really going to come together. We’re going to step it up. It’ll be something to watch."

The Chargers were 0-3 in league and 0-4 overall after the loss against Calabasas.

Members of the Agoura team are Nichol Lavi, Kelly Mead, Ashley Lavi, Taylor Simmons, Megan Hull, Gabrielle Armstrong, Lindsay Millman, Ali Novak, Haley Burns, Tessa Siggard, Kayla Spiroff and Jasmine Jenkins.

The head coach said the Chargers need to work on talking with each other on the floor, but she expects the team to begin to coalesce.

"Our communication is what killed us tonight," Fabulich said. "As we go along and as we keep practicing, the girls are going to come together and our passing is going to pick up and we’re going to become a lot more aggressive. And when we become aggressive, watch out!"

Fabulich was coaching the JV before the coaching change took place. Now she coaches both the varsity and the JV And she will be the boys’ head coach next spring.

She said the challenge to build a program, both girls’ and boys’, is a huge one, but she’s ready for it.

"It’s a little overwhelming, but I’m so excited about it," said Fabulich. "Coaching is my heart."

Fabulich coached at Thacher in Ojai last year after having played college volleyball. She attended Buena High School in Ventura where she played volleyball and also played basketball for legendary Bulldog head coach Joe Vaughan.

"He’s like a second father to me," Fabulich said regarding Vaughan.