One year after having just two seniors on the roster, California will have tons of experience for the 2016 season.
With seven seniors on the roster, the Lady Pintos are hoping to build off a 19-11-4 season that saw them take third in the Tri-County Conference, but ultimately fall short in the district semifinal to a loaded Helias team.
Seniors Kayla Allison and Cameron Meyer lead a talented returning group. Allison was first team all-conference and all-district last season, and was the top libero in the Tri-County. She led the Last Pintos with 280 digs.
Meyer was named first team all-conference as well after leading California with 146 kills. She played on the outside last year, but could be in for a move to the middle with the Lady Pintos losing Adrienne Strickfaden and Ashtyn Goans to graduation.
"Middle in volleyball is an important position," said head coach Julie Bailey. "They're usually your stronger hitters and definitely key blockers. Trying to advance someone from an outside hitter to a middle position is a challenge for them because it's something they haven't done before."
Strickfaden led California with 29 blocks last season, and was second on the team with 135 kills en route to earning second team all-conference honors. After blocking was an area of weakness last season, finding players to replicate Strickfaden's production defensively will be among the Lady Pintos' greatest challenges heading into the year.
The Lady Pintos will bring back their top two setters from last season in seniors Emma Bailey and Monica Whitson. Bailey led the team with 225 assists and 36 aces last year, and Whitson had 162 assists. Other returning contributors for California are senior Ellie Wirts, sophomore Gracie George and junior Chloe Schenewerk.
"It's not just the experience, our juniors and seniors are very motivated," Bailey said. "We have seven seniors who are leaders, they don't just show up. They're leaders everyday, not just on the court, but they're great students and just a great group of girls."
With over 30 athletes, there's no shortage of talent in California's volleyball program, and that will lead to plenty of competition up and down the roster.
"There are a lot of younger girls who are very strong players, and it might be hard for some of the seniors adjust to their new roles," Bailey said.
Some of California's goals for this season are to win conference, win districts and repeat as an academic all-state team. While the Lady Pintos are chasing Blair Oaks in the Tri-County, it's uncertain how they'll stack up in districts, with MSHSAA having yet to release the fall 2016 volleyball assignments. For Bailey's group, success may be determined by how well the team fits together in their roles.
"We always talk about being a team player," Bailey said. "Because we have 30 girls out, everyone is going to have a different role and they're going to have to accept what that role is and maintain a good attitude. We have to, as coaches, decide what is best for our team and how we can be competitive."