Girl’s Volleyball

In the early 1970’s, girls sports at the high school level were just starting to grow due to the passage of Title IX.  One group of athletes at Antioch High School, however, were already taking center stage on the sports scene.   The 1975-76 Antioch High School Girls Volleyball team, coached by the late Sue Cheatham, were a true powerhouse.  The Lady Panthers stormed through the Diablo Valley Girls Athletic League season, winning all 9 of their matches without losing a single set.  This dominant season capped an unprecedented run by becoming the first girl’s team to win three consecutive titles and extending their winning streak to seventeen straight league victories over two seasons.  Outside of league play, the Panthers showed their dominance by winning the Oakland Tech Tournament and the DVGAL Invitational.  The later tournament featured the top schools from throughout the Bay Area and required to the Lady Panthers to win 10 matches over the two-day event, capping it off with a straight set win over previously undefeated Monte Vista. 

The Panthers were led by their Captain, Kathy Rodriquez, a three-year starter for the Panthers.  She shared team MVP honors with Marie Rodriquez and would be named as the outstanding Senior Athlete for 1975-76. Other three-year players for the Lady Panthers were Rosie Augustine, Carla Baker and Robin Stiles.  Julie Jacobsen, Lori Soo, Lisa Bruno and Laura Clark made up the rest of the dominant roster.  They were coached by Sue Cheetham and Asst Coach Bob Holland.