history
The Bishop O’Dowd High School Volleyball program is one of the most successful volleyball programs in the Bay Area. For the past 22 seasons, the varsity squad has finished the season no less than 3rd place in the North Coast Section Championships. Since 1991, the program has achieved some outstanding team honors:
- 24 Varsity League Championships
- 8 North Coast Section Championships
- 7 Semifinal Appearances in CIF Northern California Championships
- 41 players committed to play in the college
- 7 North Coast Section Scholastic Team Championship Awards
- More than 20 North Coast Section Scholar Athletes each year (includes Varsity and JV)
- Team GPA average of both Varsity and JV teams is above 3.5 each year
In 2006, Bishop O’Dowd High School expanded its volleyball program to include a freshmen team. This has proven to be very successful in increasing the opportunity for young women to be apart of the enriching traditions established in Bishop O’Dowd Volleyball.
Championship History
League Champions
West Alameda County Conference (WACC) – Foothill League
2012, 2013, 2014
Hayward Area Athletic League (HAAL)
1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
Alameda Contra Costa Athletic League (ACCAL)
1993, 1994
East Shore Athletic League (ESAL)
1989, 1990, 1991, 1992
North Coast Section (NCS) Champions
NCS – 1st Place
1995 (Div. I), 1999, 2002, 2007 (Div. III), 2008 (Div. III), 2009 (Div. III), 2010 (Div. II), 2013 (Div. III)
CIF – Northern California Playoff History
1995 (Div. I – Semifinals), 1996 (Div. I – Semifinals), 2001 (Div. III – Quarterfinals), 2002 (Div. III – Semifinals), 2004 (Div. III – Quarterfinals), 2005 (Div. III – Semifinals), 2007 (Div. III – Semifinals), 2009 (Div. III – Finals), 2010 (Div. II – Semifinals), 2013 (Div. III – Semifinals)
Program Information
PROGRAM EXPECTATIONS
- Overall responsibility – This taken seriously with respect to self, team and all others virtually covers all rules.
- All school policies as specified in the Bishop O’Dowd Student Handbook will be in effect for all volleyball players.
- Communication between coaches and teammates must be cultivated by everyone at all times.
- You are a representative of Bishop O’Dowd Volleyball and Bishop O’Dowd High School at all times. All players and coaches must model exceptional integrity, ethics, respect, and good sportsmanship on and off the court.
- Your commitment to family and academics must come before volleyball. However, you have made a serious commitment to the volleyball team and the program. It will be expected that you do everything possible to fulfill your commitments to family, school and volleyball. If a conflict arises that cannot be resolved, it must be communicated immediately to the coaches.
TEAMS
We field varsity, junior varsity, and freshmen teams. All three teams usually carry around 15 players.
SEASON
Volleyball is a spring sport.
TRYOUTS, GAMES, PRACTICES
After the teams are selected, practices for varsity and freshmen team will normally be held Monday; Friday after school from 3:30pm – 5:30pm. Junior varsity practices normally are held Monday – Friday from 6:00 – 8:00pm. Game dates and times will be announced once all leagues have met.
Note: Once selected as a team member, players are expected to take part in all practices and games.
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
Volleyball at O’Dowd is competitive. Most young women who tryout for a team have years of experience. Parents and athletes are encouraged to talk with the head coach about their volleyball experience as it relates to the level of competition here at O’Dowd.
Dragons in college
2015 Kenza Hall – Middle Tennessee State University Navah Evans -Long Island University Brianna Karrseboom – University of California, Davis 2014 Bryanna Davis – La Salle University Mary Orbeta – Seattle University 2013 Sophia Mar – University of Connecticut/ UC Davis 2012 Lacey Maas – Santa Clara University 2011 Lindsey Parrott – UC Berkeley Jordan Pehanick – UC Santa Barbara Alex Lynch – University of Tennessee/ Clemson University 2010 Andrea Olsen – University of Notre Dame Katherine Huntington – University of Chicago Monique Holt – UC Riverside Molly Kennedy – Cal State Monterey Bay Rachel Stier – Marquette University Megan Kehoe – Northeastern University 2009 Caroline Mercado – UC Davis 2008 Blaire Safir – Colgate Robyn Hall – University of Portland Jessica Atthowe – Golden West College/ Menlo College 2007 Ariell Cooke – University of Miami 2006 Maria Zizka – UC Berkeley Joanna Evans – Stanford Meaghan Mena – Loyola College of Maryland Kiersten McKoy – Georgetown University 2005 Erika Beutler – Gonzaga University Alyssa Pence – Dominican University 2004 Colleen Boston – Holy Names University Kelly Kearns – Fordham University Vanessa Vella – Cal State – Fullerton 2003 Kelly Ong – University of Hawaii / Holy Names University 2002 Nikki Esposito – University of Puget Sound Marisa Vierra – Seattle University 2001 Jeannine Manguiat – Westmont College 2000 Simone Ortega – UC Berkeley Kelly Sousa – Santa Clara University 1999 Caitlin Kelly – Diablo Valley College Andrea Szabo – Eastern Michigan University 1998 Lauren Vanderveen – University of Massachusetts 1997 Erinn Kelly – Gonzaga University Lia Vittoria – UC Santa Cruz 1996 Carolyn Clevenger – Georgia Tech University 1991 Janine Malcolm – University of Portland 1990 Michelle Charron – UC Santa Cruz 1988 Sharon Lawson – Golden West College Michelle Scherer – Cornell University