BY LISA VALENTINE
Lake Orion Review Staff Writer
With seven players returning from last year’s varsity volleyball team that tied for the OAA II championship, Lake Orion head coach Mike Hatch believes his Dragons have an outstanding season before them.
‘Their skills have come so far in the past year,? he said.
‘Will we run into better teams (in OAA II)? Sure…but we’re going to be more competitive.?
Returning to varsity are seniors Hilary Conklin, Ellen Deuparo, Aubrey Dyl, Katie Fosmoen, Melissa Marriott and Nichole Woityra.
Junior Kristin Larsen also returns.
Up from last year’s junior varsity to this year’s varsity team are sophomore Rachel Bemman, sophomore Sarah Brown, sophomore Kaitlin Denton, and sophomore Kaitlin Motley.
The team is managed by sophomore Jenna Motyka.
Hatch expects West Bloomfield and Farmington Hills Harrison to be Lake Orion’s top two teams to beat in OAA II this year, with last year’s co-champs Rochester moving up to OAA I.
‘The girls are fired up, and they have great attitudes,? he said.
‘We have great senior leadership right now, and we’re more athletic.?
Hatch said his team has been playing since the season ended in March.
‘They have a great work ethic,? he said.
Assistant varsity coach Amanda Burt said since they worked on honing their skills last season, this year the Dragons will look at developing their offense and defense strategies.
‘We’re going to build on the team work with the four sophomores,? she said. ‘We’ll be stronger defensively, with our height.?
Burt said the sophomores on the varsity this year will make the difference, height-wise.
‘Rachel Bemman is our tallest player, and I believe she’s 6?1?,? she said.
Burt said Hatch and the rest of the coaching staff is also focusing on ‘serving to win.?
?(Hatch) has been saying swing to win, which is a more aggressive strategy,? she said. ‘He’s saying, ‘Go for the harder shot.??