As summer ends and students prepare for the start of school with mixed feelings, 15 players and two coaches are unreservedly enthusiastic as they know that another season of Mathews volleyball has arrived.

The two-time defending Group A, Division 2 state champions have their work cut out for them with the loss of a number of key, experienced players. Head coach Pat Moughon said she is taking things slowly with the new team, focusing on fundamentals and proper techniques.

With the larger-than-usual roster, the most important thing for Moughon is to find the right combination of six girls on the court, including how and when to use her subs. A limitation of the number of substitutes that can be used during a game has the veteran coach looking for more consistency in her players.

Returning players this year are seniors Hailey Abernathy, Kayla Carter, Whitney Eriksen, Anna Hudgins, Hannah Rowe and Jacqueline Stewart; juniors Sophia Bandurco and Kai McCann and sophomore Brittany Mit...