Panther Pit

The new girl takes on the boys

Sarena Kabir News Editor

Alyssa Ramirez, freshman and running back, is currently the only girl on the frosh-soph football team, and has the responsibility to take down the boys.

Ramirez decided to join the football team at Future Panther Night, a! er seeing that it was co-ed, but she had been fond of the game from a young age. “Since I was little, my mom has always watched football, and then I started getting into it and then I wanted to start to play,” Ramirez said.

Alyssa’s brother, Robert Ramirez, senior, has supported Alyssa and her journey on the football team. “Everyone loves the fact that she is doing this, (and) a portion of that is because it is football but most of it is simply because we love her and would support her with any sport she may have chosen,” Robert said.

At " rst, the Ramirez family was worried about the violence in the fame, but their family wants to support her in her games.

“As her older brother, I worry a tad about injury, but otherwise, I am very excited. I’m always really happy whenever I get to see her play, and honestly, it’s one of the best things ever,” Robert said.

At practices, Alyssa has to go through a series of drills. “For my position, we do stu# for hando# s and we’ll do this one thing and they are called cheeseburgers and we get held back and we have to run and we do cutbacks and stu# for swings,” Alyssa said.

Even though Alyssa is a running back, she is open to trying other positions on the team, too. “$ e only other position I would wanna play is a receiver, but I like running back better,” Alyssa said.

Trejo Kimball, freshman and starting linebacker, is on the frosh-soph team with Alyssa, and says the team treats her just like any other player. “During practice, we go to the same amount of aggressiveness to her as every other teammate. We don’t go so! er or harder,” Kimball said.

Tyson Grimes, freshman and defensive back, says that Alyssa has been very helpful in all aspects of the game. “She knows the plays as well as anyone on the team, and even when she isn’t playing, she helps us to understand our schemes,” Grimes said.

Many of the players, including Alyssa, feel that the team is one big family, and are excited for the rest of the season.

“I speak for myself and my teammates when I say that we are all pretty close,” Grimes said,“$ ere’s just a camaraderie from being on this team that you can’t really " nd anywhere else.”

On the " eld, Alyssa has been playing quite a bit. “I have been playing the second half on defense as a linebacker and a little bit of o# ense as a running back,” Alyssa said.

She’s the one-he’s the one- Alyssa Ramirez, freshman, poses in her football gear as she gets ready for a game. “Since I was little, my mom has always watched football, and then I started getting into it and then I wanted to start to play,” Ramirez said. She is currently the only female on the frosh-soph football team and holds the linebacker position. With Permission/Alyssa Ramirez

Girls’ tennis starts new season with new coaches

Rahul D’Souza Chief Photographer

Going into the " rst Marmonte League games this season, the girls’ tennis team has added two new coaches to their sta# , a! er the last coach stepped down. Head coach Meg Hammer and assistant coach Karrie Markrud have brought new perspectives to the team’s game, as well as di# erent coaching styles.

“$ e new coaches have begun implementing more drills that have helped the team gain new skills. We have also begun using di# erent plays to use against a wide variety of opponents,” Ellie Evans, senior and captain, said. $ e coaches are focusing more on speci" c techniques and skills this year. Hammer has the players work on strategies for doubles, work on shots down the line, and making clear and strong volleys. $ ey also go over point strategies and placement of the ball to hit clear winners.

“$ is year has been more competitive as returning players have had to prove their skills to a new coach. $ e increase in competitiveness has allowed for the team to achieve one of the main goals of this season, to always come out playing your best,” Evans said.

Many of the players say they have improved their game during the summer o# -season practices, using the new coaches to add to their game.

“Coach Hammer is really focusing this year on getting us to be in top physical shape,” Nina Almaoui, sophomore, said. $ e players will do sit-ups, run lines, sprints, and drills to strengthen their foot work.

With conditioning at practice everyday, the players have been building their strength, endurance and game strategy. In addition, they practice drills on skills like volleying at the net, serves and shots in di# erent places on the court.

“At every practice, we work on serving wide or down the middle...having a solid serve is a huge part of the game,” Hammer said.

By working on every part of the game, Hammer hopes to get the players to a higher level. She says she believes that the skills and conditioning that the players work on during practice will help ensure that they can close out tie-breaking games and sets, even a! er hours of playing.

“$ e girls are all here to compete and win and it feels good that they are up to train hard for practice,” Hammer said.

Ace- New head coach, Megan Hammer, talks to assistant coach, Karrie Markrud about the strengths and weaknesses from the last matches. Beyond just forehands and backhands, “The strength of the tennis team is that they are having fun and building friendships that go beyond the tennis court,” Hammer said. The team had their fi rst league game on Thursday after a rocky start during preseason, but they are looking forward to winning more sets this year and doing their best. With Permission/ Sarah Wang

Girls golf swings into season

Adalia Luo Staff Writer

! is season, the girl’s golf team is stepping up their game. With a fuller roster, captain Jamie Jewett, senior, is determined to lead this new family to victory.

“My goals are to improve our season record from last year and so far I’m con" dent we can do it. ! is year we have more players on our roster so we’re able to play more girls and get everyone more experience,” Jewett said. Since August, the team has already played two matches and continues to develop close friendships. “I’ve de" nitely started putting more time into trying to help all the other players improve their game instead of spending all of my time on my own practice,” Jewett said, “I feel like the team mom.”

Riley O’Leary, sophomore, is in her second season with the girl’s golf team. “Jamie’s really awesome,” O’Leary said, “She’s helped to make practices more fun by making little games for us every now and then. Practice can get pretty monotonous, just swinging over and over, so a little bit of fun with an objective can make practice less repetitive.” ! is year, Jewett is especially excited to spend more time with the younger girls. “I really like what I’m seeing from all the girls, especially the freshman.”

One of these freshman recruits excited for their " rst high school season is Charlotte Sams. “Jamie is an amazing captain and leader,” Sams said, “She has motivated not just me but the whole team. She is always positive and is always helpful and caring to us.”

Like O’Leary said, “Jamie de" nitely encourages us to do our best and doesn’t get impatient when we don’t do as well. For some of the newer players and for me when I’m having an o# day, she’ll help us out and give advice on how we can improve.”

With practices Monday through ! ursday, the girl’s golf team is on their way to another successful season.“! is year we’ve got a few new players who are really eager to play, and it’s pretty exciting,” O’Leary said, “I’m hoping that that new energy transfers itself out to the course and can really bene" t our team in a positive way.”

Foreore- From left to right, freshmen Kristen Jue, Charlotte Sams, Kimberly Luby, and sophomore Riley O’Leary pose during practice in a photo snapped by team captain Jamie Jewett. This year we have more players on our roster so we’re able to play more girls and get everyone more experience,” Jewett said. The team has had two matches so far and they have lost over them. With Permission/Jamie Jewett

New coach joins Black Cat Volleyball Crew

Reese Kelem Staff Writer

Alyssa Ramirez, freshman and running back, is currently the only girl on the frosh-soph football team, and has to play the o# ensive role by handling the football with care.

Ramirez decided to join the football team at Future Panther Night, a$ er seeing that it was co-ed, but she had been fond of the game from a young age. “Since I was little, my mom has always watched football, and then I started getting into it and then I wanted to start to play,” Ramirez said.

Alyssa’s brother, Robert Ramirez, senior, has supported Alyssa and her journey on the football team. “Everyone loves the fact that she is doing this, (and) a portion of that is because it is football but most of it is simply because we love her and would support her with any sport she may have chosen,” Robert said.

At " rst, the Ramirez family was worried about the possible injury that may fall upon her, but their family wants to support her in her games.

“As her older brother, I worry a tad about injury, but otherwise, I am very excited. I’m always really happy whenever I get to see her play, and honestly, it’s one of the best things ever,” Robert said.

At practices, Alyssa has to go through a series of drills with her team. “For my position, we do stu# for hando# s and we’ll do this one thing and they are called cheeseburgers and we get held back and we have to run and we do cutbacks and stu# for swings,” Alyssa said.

Even though Alyssa is a running back, she is open to trying other positions on the team, too. “! e only other position I would wanna play is a receiver, but I like running back better,”

Alyssa said.

Trejo Kimball, freshman and starting linebacker, is on the frosh-soph team with Alyssa, and says the team treats her just like any other player. “During practice, we go to the same amount of aggressiveness to her as every other teammate. We don’t go so$ er or harder,” Kimball said.

Tyson Grimes, freshman and defensive back, says that Alyssa has been very helpful in all aspects of the game. “She knows the plays as well as anyone on the team, and even when she isn’t playing, she helps us to understand our schemes,” Grimes said.

Many of the players, including Alyssa, feel that the team is one big family, and are excited for the rest of the season.

“I speak for myself and my teammates when I say that we are all pretty close,” Grimes said,“! ere’s just a camaraderie from being on this team that you can’t really " nd anywhere else.”

Cheeseheese- Eager to start the varsity game against Westlake at their home, JV Coach George Hees gets ready to fi ght for victory. Hees, a new coach has arrived at NPHS after 14 years of experience coaching varsity boys and girls volleyball at Oaks Christian High School. “I am encouraged by my team I like how they work hard,” said Hees. Hees had many positive effects on his staff and team and hopes to continue coaching here in the future. With Permission/Emma Rosson

Lets go Panthers -ets go Panthers - The panthers go wild as they cheer at the beginning of the game. Pit Leaderhe panthers go wild as they cheer at the beginning of the game. Pit Leader Aiden Jimenez, senior, said his favorite part of the game was “probably filling up the whole studentiden Jimenez, senior, said his favorite part of the game was “probably filling up the whole student section and just going crazy the whole game.” The Panther Pit was full of energy on the first homeection and just going crazy the whole game.” The Panther Pit was full of energy on the first home football game of the season.Very early in the game, the pit was overflowing with students wild withootball game of the season.Very early in the game, the pit was overflowing with students wild with energy to defeat NPHS’s rival, Thousand Oaks High School.nergy to defeat NPHS’s rival, Thousand Oaks High School. Candace Crownover/Pawprint

The Panther Pit, a section of students who dress up and cheer on the panther football team at every home game, is led by Abby Scott, Aidan Jimenez, Aidan Bute, Jackson Calderwood and Bradley Magnussen this year. The pit was sparked with great enthusiasm this year and has been overflowing with energetic students.

The Panther Pit gets

Fired up

Reese Kelem Photographer

@nppantherpit

Lights Out! -ights Out! - The Panther Pit students shine their lights to cheer on their team as the night grows late. The pit leadershe Panther Pit students shine their lights to cheer on their team as the night grows late. The pit leaders encouraged students to “WEAR BLACK CUZ IT’S GONNA BE A FUNERAL” (via instagram). The students herded fromncouraged students to “WEAR BLACK CUZ IT’S GONNA BE A FUNERAL” (via instagram). The students herded from the tailgate to the stands which stayed full all the way until the end of the game.he tailgate to the stands which stayed full all the way until the end of the game. Reese Kelem/Prowler