Under fourth-year coach Dylonn Viliamu, Cabrillo has grown into a consistent fifth-place program in the Moore League. The Jaguars are staying ahead of Jordan and Compton, but have yet to crack the code on challenging the top four teams in the league, something VIliamu hopes his team’s consistency can help the Jaguars do.
“Our big goals this year are to compete and try to beat Lakewood, Millikan, Wilson, and/or Long Beach Poly,” he said. “We’re trying to get a spot or an upset this year to be in the top four teams in the Moore League to try to make the playoffs. That’s the goal.”
Unlike the top teams in the league, Viliamu isn’t getting a lot of players with deep club experience–instead, he’s taking players and teaching them the basics, then molding a team.
“These kids aren’t volleyball players coming in, but they have the mindset to work and want to be one,” he said.
Cabrillo’s starting outside hitter will be Donyale Tobias, a four-year player with the Jaguars who’s stepping up as a senior.
“To see her grow as a leader on the court has brought me great joy,” said Viliamu.
Senior middle blocker Ahmya Pickens picked the sport up last year and took to it. The setters will be freshman Kailani Kainoa and senior Grace Lam Sam, who is expected to miss the first few weeks of the season.
Viliamu said he’s missing a few anticipated starters due to grades, which he’s trying to use as motivation for those players and the rest of the team.
“We’re rolling with the punches and working with what we have,” said Viliamu. “We’re trying to help them understand that they are students before they are athletes, and as coaches we try to remind, push, and try to help these kids academically and with life in general.”
Viliamu is optimistic about the future as his lower level programs have progressed significantly over the last 12 months.
