Published November 4, 2025
BY DANIELA FOLEY
Following a dominant 2024 season that ended with a Gabilan Division title (14-0 league, 21-5 overall), Carmel High School’s varsity volleyball finished fourth in league standings (8-6, 13-10 overall) this fall, advancing to the Central Coast Section Division IV playoffs and winning their first CCS playoff game Nov. 1 by sweeping Stevenson 3-0.
The Padres were set to face Harbor High School on Nov. 4 for their second round CCS playoff game.
“All phases of our game were solid all the way through, and I was very impressed with several of our freshmen who stepped up and rose to the occasion,” says head coach Cody Jankowski, new to the Padres this season. “We’ve been working hard on taking big swings all year, and today it all came together.”
Jankowski is Carmel’s fourth coach in four years and previously coached at California State University Monterey Bay.
After a league championship season, Carmel volleyball has focused on building a solid team dynamic. photo by AUBRI ENEA
The Padres are led by senior co-captains Lizzie Descalzi, a Division III volleyball commit to Johns Hopkins University, and Bella Boaro, with both having experienced coaching changes throughout their high school careers on the team.
“Coaching is about developing good, healthy relationships with players and coaches, as well as administrators and the faculty and staff all over campus,” says Jankowski. “The hardest part has been just having enough time to spend with everyone and really getting to develop those relationships.”
Jankowski has emphasized building team chemistry among a young roster, which includes only two returning seniors and eight new underclassmen players. The team has practiced five times a week for 90 minutes, incorporating post-game feedback to refine technique.
“It’s been challenging having four different coaches [over four years], and it’s been difficult to find a solid team dynamic,” says outside hitter Descalzi. “Each coach is different in the way they run practices, so it’s hard to lead younger players as we are all adjusting.”
Carmel’s 2024 league title disrupted Salinas High’s long-standing dominance in the Gabilan League. This season, however, Salinas has reclaimed their dominance, posting a 14-0 league record and defeating Carmel twice. In their most recent matchup Oct. 21, Salinas won 3-1, averaging 10.8 kills per set and recording five blocks.
Hannah Drew, a sophomore middle blocker and right side hitter, is an asset to the CCS-competing team with 31 kills. photo by AUBRI ENEA
“Every team is playing their best to beat us because we are the team to take down,” says Descalzi, who’s led the team with 4.0 kills per set. “Because last year we broke the streak of dominance that Salinas had, every team thinks it’s more achievable to do well in the league.”
On Oct. 28 against Pacific Grove, who currently stand second in league (11-3, 25-6 overall), the Padres were dominated by the Breakers for the second time this season by a final score of 3-0.
While adjusting to team changes, Carmel volleyball has had notable success, particularly against Santa Catalina, whom they have beaten twice in the season. On Sept. 16, Carmel dominated on the court, winning 2-1, with an average of 16.5 kills per set against Catalina, who currently stand 2-12 in league. Again on Oct. 8, Carmel swept Santa Catalina 3-0.
“Our cleanest win this season has been against Santa Catalina,” says defensive specialist libero junior Riley Nothhelfer. “We had great energy, as we usually have dips in energy, but in that game we were extremely consistent.”
