Lady Indians, Lady Reapers ‘set’ for Interstate Eight volleyball campaign

Sandwich

Coach: Selynda Kern

Last season: 22-15, 6-8 Interstate Eight

Top returners: Olive Tornga, sr., L; Sophia Datoli, sr. OH; Hannah Zieman, sr., OH; Cailyn Brummel, sr., S

Key newcomers: Claire Allen, so., MH; Kaylin Herren, so., MH

Worth noting: Kern believes that she should have a good defensive team. It helps to have a veteran libero in Tornga back to run the back row, with 319 digs last year. ... Sandwich also returns both of its outsides in Datoli and Zieman, and Brummel at setter. ... Allen played with the Lady Indians last season, but will be moving to middle with Herren, Sandwich’s other middle. ... “Defense is our strong area this year,” Kern said. “I have a strong group of leaders this year who are excited about getting back on the court and playing.”

Plano

Coach: Lisa Esmond (15th season)

Last season: 12-22

Top returners: Anna Gonzalez, sr., OH/MH; Rachel Martinez, sr., S; Morgan Kee, sr.; Grace Stevenson, sr.; Jillian Scull, sr.; Corrine Davidson, sr.; Myia Debolt, sr.; Emma Shores, sr.; Alina Martinez, sr.

Key newcomers: Ava Debolt, jr.; Alyssa Carreno, jr.; Alejandra Corral, jr.; Alex Bishop, so.

Worth noting: The Lady Reapers return nine total seniors from last season’s team ... Gonzalez leads those back in kills and blocks from the 2019 season ... Martinez is coming back off an ACL injury, having just completed a basketball season ... Esmond noted that she also coached this senior class as seventh and eighth-graders. ... “We look to really enjoy this season,” Esmond said. “We have a lot of players that can play multiple positions and that will be utilized as we have four matches a week.”