With half of the varsity squad returning from last season, the Lake Orion volleyball team hopes to dominate in OAA II this year.
The team moves down from Division I, and returns senior captains Kristin Larsen and Christine Janello. Juniors Rachel Bemman, Sarah Brown, Kaitlin Denton and Kaitlin Motley also return.
New to the team are sophomores Jessica Bland, Ashley Bringard, Cortney Kimmel, Kaitlyn Van Houzen and Hillary Vigilant; and junior Rochelle Boudry.
‘We’re a young team,? said coach Mike Hatch. ‘We graduated six seniors…We’re young, but we have more talent now.?
Last year, the Dragons finished second to Harrison, with a 9-3 league record and 20-16 overall.
Hatch, in his third year of coaching the team, said having AAU programs like the Orion Stars team is benefiting the high school program.
‘That’s a big help,? he said. ‘The Stars play March to June.?
This year’s varsity team started conditioning at the end of August, and come into the early season ready to go.
‘We see Harrison in our home opener,? said Hatch. ‘Harrison didn’t lose a league game last year.?
Stoney Creek and West Bloomfield will also be tough competitors.
‘Kristin Larsen will be our top gun,? Hatch said. ‘We are playing in a couple of new tournaments this year, Northwood and Garber.?
The team hosts the Dragon Invite on Jan. 14.
‘We want to get tougher at our Saturday tournaments,? said Hatch. ‘We were up and down last year.?
Hatch is assisted this year by Nancy Mallmann.