Let’s take a look at what we can expect from the fall sports upcoming 2014 season.

Men’s Soccer

Coach: Dana Taylor (Five years at CSU Stanislaus)

Players to Watch: Clint Long, Carlos Gavino, Gabe Benavides

2014 Outlook:

The men’s soccer team returns this year poised to strike early and often in the CCAA. Making a few moves in the offseason to bring over some transfer students who will add experience and leadership to the team, Head Coach Dana Taylor is expecting big things from this 2014 team.

“Last year we played some of the best soccer we’ve ever played,” Taylor said. “Our focus is to create a family atmosphere out there; our success comes from the team not from the individual.”

Women’s Soccer

Coach: Gabriel Bolton (Nine years at CSU Stanislaus)

Players to Watch: Katelyn Nebesick, Kari Nestler, Chelsea Lewandowski

2014 Outlook:

Last season the Warriors took the CCAA by storm, tallying up a total of 18 wins. That was good enough to take them all the way to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Preseason standings have the Warriors ranked first in the CCAA, and according to a poll of league coaches, CSU Stanislaus has been picked to claim this year’s soccer title, a very encouraging prediction for an already confident Warrior team.    

Women’s Volleyball

Coach: Christina Lore (10 years at CSU Stanislaus)

Players to Watch: Rachel Parsons, Sarah Crowl, Hannah Green

2014 Outlook:

The CSU Stanislaus volleyball team boasts one of the youngest rosters in the CCAA. To Coach Lore, this could be perceived as a hindrance, but she sees it as the team’s strength.

“The value of the relationship between player and coach is most important,” Lore said. “I get the chance to build strong bonds with these girls for the next three to four year – something that will help us grow and learn together as a team.”

With a stout level of competition for the Warriors in the CCAA, fighting for position in this league will be tough day after day.

“Fan support goes a long way during our home games. It makes a difference in the fight,” Lore said.

Cross-Country

Coach: Diljeet Dosanjh Taylor

Runners to Watch: Alex Villaescusa, Abraham Alvarado, Sarah Miranda, Katie Timmermans.

2014 Outlook:

Last year, our combined men’s/women’s cross-country teams had solid outings throughout the season. The women’s team was ranked No. 24 nationally in the month of October according to the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association NCAA Division II National Coaches’ Poll. However, they are losing three all-CCAA runners from 2013, so they’ll have to rely on a few young guns to push the pack. The men’s team finished 12th overall last year at the 40th Annual Stanford Invitational.

Women’s Tennis

Coach: Verek Visaraga

Players to Watch: J’Ana Diamond, Analyssa Tallas, Jessica Laurie

2014 Outlook:

CSU Stanislaus’s women’s tennis team started out the previous season with a bang, posting two strong wins and one shutout. Unfortunately, they began to fall victim to a grueling schedule of tough opponents, ending the season 5-14. Eight of their opponents were ranked in the top 33, a tall order for the unranked Warriors. With a majority of the team likely to return for another year, they’ll be looking to come back with a vengeance this season early in the year.