Photo – Trojan Sophomores Julieanna Ramos, Natalia Ospino, Dalis Agbaosi, Michaela Coronado and Tori LaBay are ready for the season to start

TRINIDAD, Colo. – New Trojan Head Coach Karli Salazar has had an interesting first year at the helm of the Trinidad State volleyball program, hired during the start of the COVID pandemic she has had to adapt to a new team and prepare them for a volleyball season despite the extreme changes to the way things were traditionally done. The most notable change will be the Trojans opening play in January, about five months later than their usual August start. They plan to make the best of the situation.

"Despite, these unusual circumstances we feel fortunate to be able to be playing, as we know many others in the country are not able to," commented Coach Salazar.  "We are ready to hit the court this weekend and get to work."

The Trojans were 8-24 last season and 2-10 in region play. Sophomores Julieanna Ramos, from Atascosa, Texas, Dalis Agbaosi from Albuquerque, New Mexico and Natalia Ospino from Bogota, Columbia return to the net for TSJC. Ramos and Agbaosi played in almost every match as freshmen and should bring experience to the court. Ramos was second in kills last season with 120 and Agbaosi was second in blocks with 74. Also returning are back row defenders Tori LaBay from Highlands Ranch, Colorado and Michaela Coronado from Phoenix, Arizona. LaBay led the team in digs last season with 281. Joining the Trojans as a transfer this year will be Natalia Willhelm from Porto Alegre, Brazil.    

"The girls have adjusted well to our new style of play and have been working hard in the gym," said Salazar. "Their leadership and experience have helped our freshman adjust to the college game."

Four local high school standouts join the team as freshmen this season. Julia Holden and Gianna Vezzani from Trinidad High, Hayden Mayo from La Junta and Desirae Ortivez from La Veta. Also new to the freshman class will be Ana Perez from Haro, Spain, Dulce Maldañado from Española, New Mexico, Kaiya Gerstberger from Marienthal, Kansas, as well as Amirah Young and Ally Sherwood, both from Las Cruces, New Mexico.  

"Our freshman class brings a lot of experience and athleticism to the team. They will enable us to run a high paced offensive that will put pressure on our opponents and will be exciting to watch."

The Trojans open their season in Scottsbluff, Nebraska this week with matches against Wyoming schools Northwest College, Eastern Wyoming and Central Wyoming. They are slated to begin their home schedule on Friday, February 12 when they open Region IX play against McCook at 6pm. For a complete schedule visit the TSJC athletic website at www.tsjctrojans.com.