First-year coaches Alex Ramirez and Gabe Macias have overhauled the culture of the Central girls volleyball program, leading to one of the best starts in school history.

“The culture has changed dramatically,” Macias said. “The past is the past, and right from the get-go we set the tone, starting from summer workouts, tryouts, and all the way to the first game. The energy level has just changed dramatically.”

Central won four out of its first five matches in freedom play, and some of that success can be attributed to extra preparation that Ramirez and Macias have implemented, including studying film and weight training.

“They do a whole lot of extra stuff that our old coaches never did,” Amanda York, senior middle attacker, said. “They take so much time into preparation for practices and the weight room, which we never did before.”

However, preparation can only take a team so far. The team itself still has to be determined, work hard, and execute its game plan, and that’s exactly what Central has done so far this season.

“From day one, we said, 'You guys are going to change this program, but you got to work.' They all have bought in, and they are all coachable,” Ramirez said.

The Bobcats have also formed strong team chemistry this season through various team activities and constantly communicating with each other through group chats and social media.

“They keep saying that this is the first team that has loved each other,” Ramirez said. “There are no big egos. The seniors lead by example, but they don’t lead with egos. They want to do this together.”

Now that freedom matches have concluded, what’s the mission for the Central Bobcats in regional play?

The answer is simple. To hang a banner.

“We haven’t seen a recent banner up there since 2003. They’re eager. They’re hungry,” Macias said.

Amanda York, the 6-foot-2-inch middle attacker, is the star senior to look out for. York leads the team with 74 total blocks.

“Obviously I’m tall so that definitely helps,” York said. “But, we also work on a lot of blocking drills during practice.”

While blocking is York’s natural specialty, she has a well-rounded game. She has recorded 47 kills and five aces.

Junior outside hitter Nia Beatty is a force at the net for the Bobcats, recording 85 kills on a .286 hitting percentage to start the season.

“I have opportunities to tweak the little things like footwork and timing in practice so I get the best possible result in games,” Beatty said.

Beatty has also impressed with her skills on defense. She is second on her team in digs with 53.

While the Bobcats roll with four freshman starters in their 6-2 offense, keep tabs on freshman outside hitter Alexa Villa, who is tied for the team lead with 85 kills and has a 49.1 percent kill percentage.

The Bobcats are ready to put the past behind them, and with the culture that Ramirez and Macias have installed into the program, Central is ready to prove the doubters wrong this season and for years to come.