The Cerritos College’s volleyball team looks to redeem itself after being knocked out of the playoffs in the first round against Cypress College. 

The Falcons will have big shoes to fill after losing star player Sarah Naranjo, who will now attend Cal State Long Beach.

She led the team with 289 kills and 33 aces, is second in digs with 173, and was named to the All-South Coast Conference team. Coach Teresa Velazquez–Ortega will look to second-year outside hitter Channel Puou to replace Naranjo’s production.

“She is a great all-around player, and sometimes she shows some qualities of Sarah with her ability,” Velazquez–Ortega said. Last year, Puou had 262 kills and 86 digs. 

The team finished the 2009 season with the record of 14-8, 11-5 in conference games, and were fifth in the conference for the second year in a row.  The team has finished second in the conference, six out of the last 10 seasons.

“Every year is different, and this year we are lacking experience. While we are better defensively, we lost a lot of sophomores moving on to other schools, so we really need Channel to step up,” Velazquez-Ortega said.

Velazquez-Ortega anticipates freshman Jessica Suesoff should have a good impact on the team. “At only 5`8 she is a very complete player. She can play all over the court and has a lot of tools”.

The Falcons will travel to Florida to take on the South Florida Community College Panthers on August 26.

“The trip should really help the team bond and will help the chemistry of the girls,” Velazquez–Ortega said.