Spring sports are starting and many teams have their eyes on the NCS postseason.

After having long NCS runs last year, the women’s lacrosse and track and field teams are looking for big seasons ahead while facing the challenge of replacing key seniors.

The track and field teams looks to improve on last year’s record-breaking season in which the Grizzlies sent multiple athletes to the state finals. 

After last year’s dominant performance at NCS and state, seniors Alyssa Brewer and Bobby Pointer are projected to be among the favorites to win the 800- and 400-meter races, and help anchor the 4×400 relay teams.

 “We have to work as a team if we want to reach NCS or state this year,” said senior track captain David Mai. 

The women’s lacrosse team also looks to redeem themselves after losing to Navato in the NCS finals last year.

“I’m hungry for another NCS final,” said senior captain Abigail Leibowitz. “We still have a strong team after losing some seniors.”

The list of seniors who graduated included Ashley Ward, who is now playing for UC Berkeley.

The girls began their season on Feb. 27 with a 14-11 win against Piedmont in a non-league game. In their league opener on March 3, the Grizzlies edged district rival Monte Vista, 10-9. 

With the start of the regular season, the women’s lacrosse team begins the path to NCS and build as team to overcome tough opponents.

As for the men’s lacrosse team, they are working hard and hope to make a deeper NCS run this year.

After two years and two different head coaches, the men’s varsity volleyball took a big step forward by hiring Todd Baham, the head coach of women’s varsity volleyball team.

Baham brings forth a passionate intensity to the team,  but it needs a leader to step up the level up play, on which has been absent from this team the past two years.

“During my freshman and sophomore year the men’s varsity volleyball team was first in the league and now we strive toward that goal,” said senior Siddhant Shekhawat.   

The volleyball team had a long road ahead and it will need the help of all of its players to return to the playoffs.

The varsity swim team has a lot of new faces with many incoming freshmen earning spots that would normally go to seniors because the varsity roster was cut in half. The absence of leadership on the team will not stop them from achieving their playoff goals.

These changes come from the new head coach Connor Green, who is rebuilding the team to make a strong playoff push.

“Although we have lots of freshman we can still make the playoffs in events like 100 freestyle, 500 freestyle, and 100 fly,” said junior Jeffery Ruy. 

With the swim team bonding with new players, the men’s golf team is in the midst of league play. The men’s team is ready for another season of hard work in a competitive league and will have to push their way into the playoffs to earn a spot.

 “Our league is very competitive,” said Nick Ryu. 

“We are doing our best and winning games where we can.”

While most teams preach teamwork, golf is more of an individual sport and many players have to work on their personal skills to become better at the game. Cal dropped its first two matches, including a squeaker to Granada, 217-222.

Like golf, the men’s varsity tennis team will have to face an uphill battle playing against strong teams with a roster that needs to develop.

“To improve on last season everyone on the team needs to practice more,” said senior Alex Long.

The team started off the season at (2-3 might need to change) and with many tough teams still to play the men’s tennis team is hopeful for the playoffs. 

Like most teams, baseball and softball are striving for the playoffs in leagues with many strong teams.