Take an inexperienced group with no seniors, put them in a strong league and you’ll usually get something like Andover High had last year: A volleyball team that went 5-27.
What’s the best thing about having no seniors? You have nearly everybody back the next year.
Next year is now this year - and when the Trojans take the floor this season, they’ll have three players with three years of varsity experience and three more with two years.
“All of them have been working hard in the offseason to improve,” Andover coach Sue Coffman said, “and it shows in practice.”
The Trojans also spent some time this summer at a team camp and a one day tournament, Coffman said.
They’ll be led by junior Regan Peare, a versatile junior who led the team in assists last year and managed to be one of the team’s top hitters in the process.
Other returning hitters are Suzanna Gehrer, the team’s only senior, Sydney Staehr, Hana Bruner and Jaylyn Agnew, whose 5-foot-10 leap in the high jump as a freshman last spring won state and was the third-best height in the nation.
Front-row play is a strength, Coffman said, and so is defense.
Returning in the libero spot is junior Ana Dilkes, a team leader on defense last season.
Four sophomores figure to join the rotation: Hitter Lindy LeMaster, setter Edie Hardin and defensive specialists Riley Flake and Riley Messina.
Coffman takes a 390-295 record into her 27th year of coaching. This will be her 22nd season at Andover.
She likes the Trojans’ team chemistry but said inexperience remains an issue.
“We have high expectations of improving on last year’s record and having a winning season,” Coffman said. “… We now need to play to see what kinks we need to work out.”
What’s the best thing about having no seniors? You have nearly everybody back the next year.
Next year is now this year - and when the Trojans take the floor this season, they’ll have three players with three years of varsity experience and three more with two years.
“All of them have been working hard in the offseason to improve,” Andover coach Sue Coffman said, “and it shows in practice.”
The Trojans also spent some time this summer at a team camp and a one day tournament, Coffman said.
They’ll be led by junior Regan Peare, a versatile junior who led the team in assists last year and managed to be one of the team’s top hitters in the process.
Other returning hitters are Suzanna Gehrer, the team’s only senior, Sydney Staehr, Hana Bruner and Jaylyn Agnew, whose 5-foot-10 leap in the high jump as a freshman last spring won state and was the third-best height in the nation.
Front-row play is a strength, Coffman said, and so is defense.
Returning in the libero spot is junior Ana Dilkes, a team leader on defense last season.
Four sophomores figure to join the rotation: Hitter Lindy LeMaster, setter Edie Hardin and defensive specialists Riley Flake and Riley Messina.
Coffman takes a 390-295 record into her 27th year of coaching. This will be her 22nd season at Andover.
She likes the Trojans’ team chemistry but said inexperience remains an issue.
“We have high expectations of improving on last year’s record and having a winning season,” Coffman said. “… We now need to play to see what kinks we need to work out.”
