By Josh Hall (josh.hall@ky3.com)
The Diamond High School volleyball team loses four senior starters from last year’s team that went 6-17-2 last season after falling to Butler in the first round of the Class 2, District 11 tournament.
But the Lady Wildcats aren’t panicking as they enter the 2017 season.
“I feel like the kids coming back, the returners, have a pretty good amount of knowledge of the game,” head coach Karla Gaines said. “When we start making some changes and mixing some things up, they seem to be adjusting very well.”
Diamond will miss four-year starter Zoe Renfro, who played setter for the first three years of her high-school career before being moved to libero her senior year. Renfro is continuing her athletic career as a member of the Northeastern Oklahoma A&M volleyball team.
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Paige Dresslaer, who is now playing at Kansas City Community College, led the Lady Wildcats in assists last season after Diamond switched to a 5-1 rotation with Renfro moving to libero.
The Lady Wildcats will also miss Layne Haskins, a three-year starter at outside hitter and middle hitter. Haskins led the team in blocks and was second in kills as a 6-rotation player.
Kelsey Ball served as a defensive specialist as a two-year starter, but also saw some action at libero her senior year.
“We lost some strong seniors, and we’ve got some positions to fill.” Gaines said. “That just takes time to figure out who’s actually ready for varsity on a full-time basis. The kids know it’s going to take some strong, young players to step into those positions.
Leading the way for Diamond this season is Grace Donnel. The junior middle blocker/outside hitter has started since her freshman year and led the team in kills and aces as a sophomore.
Dayle Chastin (junior OH) will be another key player after she recorded the second most digs for the Lady Wildcats as a sophomore.
Also returning from 2016 is Maddie Cupp (junior MH/RS), Erin Finley (senior OH), Alyssa Cain (senior S/DS), Emily Valdez (sophomore S) and Loran Atnip (sophomore OH).
New to the mix are seniors Tana Greathouse (OH) and Katelyn Austin (RS). Several sophomores could also see time at the varsity level this season, according to Gaines.
“My older kids take on the role of being mentors and leaders,” Gaines said. “I have seen through the course of the summer our older players have really been developing in that way.”
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