Head Coach Joe Amaral returns for his 6th season at the helm of Skagit Valley College Volleyball, coming off a record-breaking year that culminated in a North Division Championship and the first-ever NWAC Volleyball Championship in school history.
The Cardinals enter 2025 ranked #2 in the preseason poll, looking to defend their title after graduating eight sophomores from last year's historic squad.
Q&A with Coach Amaral
1. What are the biggest strengths of this year's team, and how do you expect them to shape the season?
Two of our greatest strengths this season are our team defense and our height advantage. We are fortunate to have three highly skilled defensive specialists who will anchor our back row and provide a solid foundation for our overall play. Their ability to keep us competitive in every match will be a key factor throughout the season. Complementing that is our presence at the net, which we expect to leverage effectively in both offensive production and blocking. Together, these strengths position us to compete at a high level.
2. Which returners or new faces should fans keep an eye on as potential impact players?
Two newcomers to watch this season are outside hitters Mallory Butenschoen and Kaitlyn Harrington. Kaitlyn, standing at 6'1", will serve as our primary offensive weapon and is expected to carry a significant portion of our scoring load. Mallory is a well-rounded and efficient player who contributes in all areas of the game. Together, they bring versatility and balance to our lineup and are poised to make an immediate impact.
3. What are the team's main goals for the season, both on and off the court?
Our primary goals this season are twofold:
We are proud of the legacy of the teams that came before us and are committed to upholding that tradition—competing with resilience, excellence, and character on and off the court.
Next Match: The Cardinals (8–4) host Lower Columbia College on Wednesday, September 3rd at 5:00 PM in DuVall Pavilion.
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