Identical twin sisters Jenna and Christina DalSanto made immediate impacts for when they played on Andrean’s varsity as freshmen last year.
Jenna DalSanto had a team-high 10 kills in the 59ers’ win over Wheeler to open sectional play last year, while Christina recorded double-digit digs in wins over the Bearcats and Knox in helping the Andrean reach the sectional championship match against New Prairie.
Although the 59ers fell short of a sectional title, the cornerstone was built for the 2015.
Now sophomores, the twins have been integral parts of the fast start for Andream (12-3).
“Jenna can hit the line and hit the angle, and she’s very competitive,” second-year coach Hether Lytton said. “I can hit her outside and right-side, and she swings hard and it’s made us stronger.
“Then there’s Christina, who gets a hand on everything. She runs that back row for us. She’s calling out tips and calling out hitters on where it’s open. She’s such a leader out there.”
Both girls started playing volleyball in third grade and loved the game so much they were playing club two years later.
They spent time at Ignite Volleyball Club this past offseason and reached nationals in New Orleans.
“I was so nervous playing as a freshman, but having a senior libero in the back row really helped me out last season,” Christina DalSanto said. “Club was huge for me this (past) year because halfway through the season, I was able to play libero and we went down to New Orleans. We played so many games and so many different teams from all over the country.
“That’s helped me become a better player this season, and our defense is a lot better this year. Our blocking and hitting is amazing. We just have to keep pushing hard each night out.”
Lytton said Andrean is poised to make a run in the postseason if the girls continue to progress. The 59ers won sectional and regional championships in 2011 and 2012.
“We’re looking at the big picture,” she said. “We’re not worried about what happens in season as we get prepared for the postseason. The things we’re doing now are going to carry us to the next level.”
Christina DalSanto said the talent is there and only time will tell what happens. But she and her sister are going to give it everything they can to be a part of Andrean’s program history.
“We want to bring Andrean back to where they were a couple years ago,” Christina DalSanto said. “But it’s not just important to us but it’s important to our school and our friends and our family and everything.
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“Making history at the school and getting our names on the wall would be amazing.”
Ryan Haskell is a freelance writer for the Post-Tribune.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL TOP 10
Last week’s ranking in parentheses
1. Valparaiso (1)
2. Lake Central (2)
3. Munster (3)
4. Crown Point (5)
5. Andrean (6)
6. Bishop Noll (4)
7. Michigan City (8)
8. Morgan Twp. (7)
9. Chesterton (NR)
10. South Central (10)
Player of the Week: Abby Moon finished with 21 kills at the Chesterton Invitational as the host Trojans came away with the championship trophy, beating Bishop Noll in the championship round 25-23, 25-20. Moon was named the tournament MVP.