Hosting Monterey Thursday night, Gilroy High's girls volleyball team swept the Toreadors in three straight games: 25-20, 25-19, 25-19.

Loryn Ferreira led the Mustangs in kills with eight to go with two aces, while setter Lindsay Meazell recorded 14 assists, 11 service points and five digs on a bum wheel.

Wearing a large knee brace that coach Sue Grogan wasn't sure would even allow her to play, Meazell helped steady the team each time Monterey looked to be mounting a comeback. Overall, though, Gilroy was never in any serious danger of losing a set.

The team did lose two key players from last year's squad to graduation, Caitlin Chisolm and Katelin Faria, but the Mustangs still have hopes of challenging for a league title while also securing a high seed in the Central Coast Section playoffs.

"I think we have an opportunity to be a lot stronger (this year)," said junior outside hitter Melissa Avila.

Avila played club volleyball during the offseason with Shaunie Hewell and Ferreira, which Grogan said has allowed the trio to improve noticeably in the last nine months. Along with returners such as Meazell, libero Jasmine Perez - the lone senior on the team - and middle blockers Lindsey Foster and Sarah UnaDia, Grogan doesn't see a drop off in talent from 2007.

"I really have to wait and see what the rest of the (Tri-County Athletic) League looks like ... (but) I don't see where we got any worse from last year," Grogan said.

Avila had seven kills and 10 digs against Monterey, Lauren Rhodes had 11 digs and newcomer Avrielle Walker had 14 digs and six kills. Walker is a junior transfer from Soledad who should help balance out the team, as Grogan thinks she will be able to fill in at multiple positions.

The Mustangs will return to their home court on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. to face Mt. Madonna.