It hasn't taken long for Granite Bay coach Jamie Ingram's young Grizzlies to leave their mark on the area girls volleyball landscape.

Last year, playing with a lineup of mainly freshmen, sophomores and juniors, Granite Bay showed flashes of its potential with wins over several playoff teams, including two over Sac-Joaquin Section Division II semifinalist Del Oro in Sierra Foothill League play.

The 21-13 Grizzlies narrowly missed qualifying for a crowded Division I playoff field.

"That was really frustrating," sophomore setter Taylor Nelson said. "We're using that as motivation this year."

Nelson, the daughter of Sierra College women's volleyball coach Vera Nelson, is one of three young yet skilled sophomores leading the way for Granite Bay.

Consistent sophomore outside hitters Maddy Deters and Nicolette Pinkney have heavy swings and an array of shots.

Junior Sam Perry forms the other half of a lethal two-setter offense that gives Ingram versatility and allows Nelson, who excels in all phases of the game, to hit as well as run the offense.

"They're a very mature group," Ingram said. "They're tough and have set the bar high for themselves."

The No. 5 Grizzlies (11-5, 3-1 SFL) have not finished higher than third since moving into the league in 2006. A strong first two weeks of league play could change that.

Granite Bay began a brutal week last Tuesday with a four-game victory over No. 7 Del Oro (14-8, 3-1), the Grizzlies' third straight win over the Golden Eagles, a dangerous group led by senior middle Tatum Jungsten.

In a battle for the SFL's top spot at home Thursday, however, Granite Bay's education continued as it lost a key match in four games to No. 4 Rocklin (23-6, 3-1), the three-time reigning SFL champion.

Granite Bay, Rocklin and Del Oro begin this week tied for first, as the Golden Eagles own a sweep over the Thunder.

League showdowns this week – Though it's early in the season, several matches that ultimately could determine titles take place this week.

• In a Sierra Valley Conference battle, No. 8 Vista del Lago (14-7, 4-0) visits No. 2 Union Mine (15-2, 5-0) at 6 tonight in a rematch of the 2010 section D-III title match (won by Vista del Lago). The teams split last season's two SVC matches.

• No. 17 Bear River (15-4, 2-0 Pioneer Valley League) hosts No. 12 Placer (11-4, 2-0) at 6 tonight.

Wednesday, Bear River plays at Colfax, which Placer swept last week.

• Tuesday at 6:45 p.m., No. 3 St. Francis (20-5, 3-0 Delta River League) hosts No. 9 Oak Ridge (14-9, 3-0), which had a five-game win over then-No. 8 Ponderosa last week.

Thursday, St. Francis travels to Ponderosa (18-7, 2-1) for another important DRL match.

THE BEE'S TOP 20

PR – Previous ranking

School W-L PR

1. El Camino 19-1 1

2. Union Mine 15-2 2

3. St. Francis 20-5 3

4. Rocklin 23-6 4

5. Granite Bay 11-5 5

6. Christian Bros. 16-7 6

7. Del Oro 14-8 7

8. Vista del Lago 14-7 9

9. Oak Ridge 14-9 10

10. Ponderosa 18-7 8

11. Rio Americano 18-7 12

12. Placer 11-4 16

13. Colfax 19-6 11

14. Nevada Union 13-12 13

15. Bella Vista 16-5 14

16. Franklin 17-3 15

17. Bear River 15-4 18

18. Whitney 13-9 19

19. Roseville 11-13 –

20. Oakmont 15-10 20

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