SAN RAFAEL, Calif.- As Dominican women's volleyball gears up for the start of their spring season in a couple weeks, there is a renowned sense of confidence that these Penguins can compete with anybody. Led by head coach Tim Loesch in his first season donning the black and gold, Dominican had their best season since 2018.

The 2024 season started with a bang with the Pengs winning their first match of the season against Jessup University. This season opening victory marked the first time Dominican had won an opener since the 2016 season. A couple weeks later during their Hawaii road trip, the Pengs would defeat HPU in a thrilling 3-2 victory which saw late blocks from Ashlyn Daugherty and Lauren Wiley propel them to a dub.

Dominican would also sweep the season series from cross-town rivals Academy of Art, something that hadn't been done since 2017. The Pengs would finish the season on a high note as they swept Westmont on senior day honoring Rein Bocage, Reagan Macha, Camille Rivers, Miekayala Surnip, and Ella Heckman. Heckman and Macha left it all out on the court as they were the leaders on offense coming down with 12 and 8 kills.

Newcomers Bocage and Macha brought over some senior leadership that rubbed off on all their teammates. Bocage, the Tracy native, would lead the team in digs collecting 458 earning all-conference awards. She would also bring home the award for newcomer of the year. Macha, the Texas native, finished the 2024 season as the team leader in kills with 279 which also earned her an all-conference award.

The Pengs MVP, as voted on by her peers, was Camille Rivers. The Vacaville native who had played the last two years in the black and gold thrived under Loesch's new system. Rivers was the "do everything" type of player on the court for Dominican last season as she led the team in assists with 596 while also racking in 228 digs and 37 kills. Fellow senior Heckman also helped lead the Penguins in 2024 as she was one of the captains. She made sure to leave a lasting impact for the younger players. Heckman earned the coaches award for her play on and off the court, she graduated Summa Cum Laude in December 2024.

Speaking of the young players, coach Loesch has assembled a group of young talent that saw four freshmen see significant time during the 2024 season. Kali Young, the South Carolina native, played in every match for the Pengs gaining valuable experience she hopes to carry into next season. Young finished the season tallying a total of 161 kills and 142 digs. Fellow outside hitter Reese Bozak, is another freshman who gained vital minutes throughout the season including a season high in kills with nine against Jessup University. Setters Chloe Cruz and Melena Wong round out the four freshmen who made an impact for the Pengs last season as they both were ready when called upon. Wong dished out 116 assists to go along with 41 digs while Cruz was right behind her with finishing with 109 assists.

Dominican will look to build on the success from the 2024 season as they start prepping for the future starting with their 2025 spring opener March 22^nd at CSU East Bay.