Welcome, ladies, to Volleyball 101. You have a new instructor.
The Malibu High School girls volleyball team has spent the early part of its season adjusting to new coach Airess Padda, after longtime coach Carlos Gray resigned over the summer after 12 seasons to take the same position at Pacific Palisades Charter School.
Padda, 28, has brought a more hands-on approach as well as different techniques and philosophies that initially took some getting used to, but appear to be catching on.
After an early season loss to Nordhoff, Malibu produced positive results at the Laguna Blanca and Santa Paula Tournaments the last couple weekends. The Sharks won the consolation bracket at Laguna Blanca while winning their respective pool at Santa Paula.
“They had the look of deer in headlights,” Padda said in reference to the first week of practice in late August. “They are learning a new style but have been open to the adjustments. At first it was overwhelming for them. But now they actually enjoy having a coach get in there and show them what to work on.”
A two-time Division II All-American middle blocker for Cal State Los Angeles in 2005 and 2006, Padda is not far removed from her own playing days. She brings a personal touch to the program, frequently scrimmaging with the team during drills and coaching them on the court.
“The girls are very hard-working,” Padda said. “They have handled everything that I’ve thrown at them. I want the girls to believe they are good and have that confidence to compete.”
Her infectious enthusiasm and positive attitude has been a shot in the arm for a program that went 3-16 overall and 0-12 in the Tri-Valley League a year ago.
“She has brought a different kind of energy,” junior Chelsea Bostwick said. “She connects well with us and she’s more hands on with us.”
An area of emphasis for the new coach has been stressing to each player that she can make a difference by simplifying the game rather than worry about their overall performance.
“She has taught us a different way of looking at the game,” said Bostwick, who plays opposite. “For example, you might be struggling with hitting or serving but have a great passing game. There are different components in volleyball that each player can be great at. We might struggle in one area but excel in another.”
The Sharks return key players in Bostwick and seniors Danica Downing, Devyn Masterson, Dasha Iarikova and Agaly DeJesus. Talented sophomores Ally Sidley and Hunter Bohm have moved up from the lower levels.
Downing, a libero, and Masterson, the defensive specialist, possess strong defensive skills that complement Padda’s system.
“Danica and Devyn are doing a good job in controlling the defensive side,” Padda said. “They have bought into my defensive system and it has rubbed off on everyone else.”
Padda credited the offensive play of Bostwick and Bohm during Malibu’s strong effort in both tourneys.
“Chelsea has played real well. She has established herself as a go-to hitter,” Padda said. “Hunter is in it to win it. She’s always competing. At Laguna Blanca, that was the best I saw the team compete. We played teams that raised the bar for us.”
Aside from techniques and philosophies, Padda has challenged her players to raise the bar and believe that they can compete with the best teams on their schedule. With upcoming matches at home against Oaks Christian on Thursday and La Reina on October 1, Downing has bought into Padda and her belief that Malibu can play with the best.
“Malibu has this stereotype of not doing well in sports,” Downing said. “She doesn’t let that stereotype define you or how the team should be doing. She has an expectation of how we should be playing. If she keeps coaching how she has been coaching, we should be good.”
Like Downing, Bostwick believes the coaching change will result in a positive impact upon Malibu this season.
“I’m very happy that we have [coach Padda]. She brings a lot and has a lot to teach us,” Bostwick said. “We have a lot of potential and I think we can do really well this season if we play together and play hard each game.”