Monache Volleyball

This year the volleyball team at Monache High is starting off strong. The team has been practicing all summer long and getting into shape. This lead them to being ready and well prepared before the school year began. They had there cuts way before the school year started which shows just how much more prepared they are to starting off the season. There are three teams are choose through the determination of the skill level you are at.

Over the summer the girls had practice and conditioning Monday until Friday endless their coaches said otherwise. They would arrive early in the morning at the school for a workout with their coach. The reason why they would go so early is because during the day it’s too hot to get a hardcore workout. Later that day the time depending on what team you are going out for they had night practice. The night practice would be when the coach’s really get to see who can play. The mornings were the hardest for them so going would show your commitment to volleyball.

The Monache volleyball team is looking forward to having great achievements and successful wins against other teams. In the past, they have won EYL numerous times. The teams are sure to have a great season. Make sure to come out and support your 2012-2013 Monache Marauder volleyball teams!

Monache Tennis

Monache High School’s Varsity Tennis Team is ready to beat Porterville High School-again. This year’s varsity team includes Electa Wright, Dahlia Martinez, Swati Reddy, Iris Martinez, Sabrina Lathrop, Rachelle Gutierrez, Cynthia Valencia, Viviana Rodriguez, Elyza Agacoli and Jasmine Sotelo. Only Electa, Dahlia, Sabrina and Rachelle are the returning players from the 2011 season. From Porterville High School, the only returning player is Cecilia Felix, so Monache has a good feeling about EYL this year. On August 23rd, the girls were supposed to play against Hanford’s team but, at last minute, Hanford canceled due to not having enough players. The rescheduled match against Hanford is to be announced, but the team next plays El Diamante on Thursday, August 30th.

“I’m super excited about the Clovis Tournament. Since it’ll be my first time going to the tournament, I hope it’s as intense and fun as everyone says!” Swati Reddy says. This year, Coach Gary Perez scheduled more matches and tournaments than last year. This includes playing against Hanford, El Diamante, Delano, and a tournament in Stockdale. The varsity team will also be staying overnight for the Stockdale and Clovis Tournaments, which they have never done before.

 “Even though this is a building-a-team year, we’re still really strong. The girls are out there practicing their hearts out and giving it their best,” says Coach Shearer. “I’m so confident about EYL this year.”

- Fareen Baloch

New Ag Teacher

The new Ag teacher just came to Monache high school during the summer and got all ready for the year of 2011-2012. This is not his first time experience with teaching although it is his first time teaching at Monache and so far he loves it!  Our new teacher said the first day of school “I’m not here to do exactly what Miss. Michel did but I’m here to do the best that I can to excel in teaching the best I can.”

The new Ag teacher’s name is Mr. Ferreria and he loves John Deere! He is twenty-four years old and was born and raised in Tulare, CA.  So far the two weeks of school has been great for him and he is a great teacher and he will make this a successful year for us I know he will be a great teacher for the fact that our school picked him out of fifteen other Ag teachers that wanted the job. Every day he teaches the best he can and it shows, I’m very excited to build three years of memories with him and with my other aggies.

With the three Ag teachers running FFA this year we should have a great and successful year. Mrs. Brown was supposed to be retired this year but decided to stay another year to make sure our FFA program stays the same and stays all together and after we get it down we will then have her retire. Overall, this year we will have another great and successful year and win many different awards for cotton judging, the opening and closing team, and many more and I would like to welcome Mr. Ferreria to Monache’s Ag department.

-Ashley Heffley  

Monache Football

The Marauders opened their season this past Friday night when they visited the Lemoore Tigers. They came into the game looking to improve on a heartbreaking season last year where they lost 3 games by less than a touchdown. If Monache wants to make a playoff run this would be the year to do so, as they have a majority of their starters coming back from last season. High expectations are brought upon these marauders this season. Will they live up to these expectations? That’s for us to find out.

Julian Gonzalez carries the ball early in the first quarter of their game against the Leemore Tigers.

Monache received the kickoff and the offense hit the field for the first time in 2012. Immediately the marauder offense moved the ball as junior running back David Alvarado found a seem and hit the hole to the marauder 38 yard line. The drive was stalled. Monache’s defense showed signs of promise on Lemoore’s first offensive series as they came up with a sack at the tiger 10 yard line. Lemoore wasn’t going to be out done; they picked up the blitz and bolted down the field for a 55 yard run. The drive ended in 3 points for Lemoore. Monache’s offense didn’t give their defense much rest as they went 3 and out on their next series. The tigers then rumbled down the field which resulted in a 25 yard touchdown run by Jeff Fagundes and put the tigers up 10-0. The marauders offensive struggles continued the in the 1st half as they fumbled the ball and was recovered by Lemoore at the MHS 35. Lemoore’s Anthony Rosa made the marauders pay with a 5 yard touchdown run to cap off a 8 play 65 yard drive. That ended the 1st half with the score 17-0 in favor of the tigers.

The second half began with much of the same for the Marauders as sophomore quarterback Miguel Mejia threw an interception deep in their own territory. Lemoore couldn’t capitalize on the turnover and fumbled the ball back right back to marauders. Monache put on a drive late in the 3rd quarter which resulted in a nick aguliar 2 yard scamper into the end zone. The score was 17-6 after the missed extra point. The Tigers sealed the deal with a pair of scores in the fourth quarter, on a 36-yard run by junior Richard Doctor and a 27-yard pass from Andrew Trahan to DaeShann Bonner with a minute left.

The marauders look to bounce back this week as they take on Hanford at Rankin Stadium this Friday at 7 p.m., Hanford is also coming off a big loss to Tri-River Athletic Conference powerhouse Central High losing 44-3. Both teams will have a lot to prove in this matchup.

- Daniel Hernandez (Sr.)

Monache Cross Country

Monache’s varsity cross country team at Woodward Park in Fresno, CA

After winning their first EYL championship since 1974 and having 2 runners go to the CIF State Championships, the Marauders are back and looking for even more in 2012. This season is full of expectations as they have now put themselves atop of the EYL and have become a power house school. Their goal for this season is a Valley Championship it will be a tough task to do as Monache lost 2 top runners, Jorge Ceballos and Gustavo Rivera who graduated last year. They also have their top runner from last season Jesus Salas who is expected to preform higher than last year. We also can’t forget about the girls who also won the EYL and have their top runners returning as well Jo Jo Zorn and Kacie Williams.  This year expect even more greater achievements by these hungry marauders.

The road to the Valley Championship began last Thursday the 24th with their annual intra-squad, blue and gold scrimmage this was a test to see where the marauders were at in terms of 2 mile times. In the beginning of the race Captain Jesus Salas was neck and neck with fellow team captain sophomore Joel Mendez but at the mile mark Mendez seemed to slow down and Salas accelerated and didn’t look back. Salas finished with a time of 10:28 followed by Mendez with 10:48 right behind him was Kyler Tabor 10:51. Ismael Fernandez came in 4th with a time of 10:55 and sophomore Israel Sotelo came in at 11:05. Jacob Rankin and Chris Rivera rounded up the boys top 7 with their times of 11:40 and 12:03. The girls top runners were Jo Jo Zorn at 12:28 and Senior Captain Kacie Williams 13:01, followed by Marlene Alcantar 13:19 and not far behind was Senior Melissa Quintero 13:32. The marauder cross country team looked very impressive in their first taste of action this season. They get their first opponent this week at Veterans Park against Exeter High School on Thursday the 30th.

- Daniel Hernandez (Sr.)