Bob Jones starts season ranked #2 in 7A
MADISON- Always moving, always talking, always encouraging; that describes Bob Jones sophomore volleyball player Juanita Monteiro-Pai who plays outside hitter and defensive specialist.
For a freshman to make the varsity team at Bob Jones is rare. To make the starting lineup is practically unheard of but her size and with her ability to serve, move, and dig Monteiro-Pai grabbed the chance to play and stayed in the lineup all last season, rarely coming off the court.
“I thought I was going to be a three-rotation player but the outside hitter just left so I played there all season. It was hard but the girls accepted me. I started playing in 4th grade and played rec league then started playing club at 12.”
Juanita Monteiro-Pai
Monteiro-Pai leads a strong returning lineup for the Patriots as they begin a long season that they hope will end in a state championship in November. Bob Jones won the 6A title in 2013 but has been shutout since moving to 7A. Mountain Brook has won state the last three seasons.
Practice started Aug. 7 and the first game is Aug. 31.
Bob Jones has size this season with three six-foot tall girls on the front line.
“We are returning everybody but one and we had Kiara(Hill) move in from Michigan and she is real athletic and some JV players moved up to add more depth so we are solid at every position and can compete at a high level,” Bob Jones Head Volleyball Coach April Marsh said. “Savannah on the right side is right at six foot, then Alana in the middle and Kiara can jump real well she is also in the middle and Emma Jarrett on the other side so it’s nice to have height and be athletic.”
Karmahn Hall returns at libero and Aija Abele is setter. Both are always on the court.
“Having experience will help Juanita be more confident and she is a natural leader and a great teammate. The chemistry with this team is great. They hang out together. They are intense. We make practice way harder than any game to see how the kids handle pressure so they won’t go into panic mode in the tough games.
We have a senior heavy team and they talk about winning a state championship and their actions show they want it by the work they are willing to put in. These girls put in extra work. They are good teammates, encourage each other and play for the good of the team,” Marsh said.
