By DAVID COOK
Thanks to a strong group of seniors, the Carson City-Crystal volleyball team is looking for a big finish to the season.
The Eagles, who finished second in the conference last year and turned in a record just above .500, are off to a strong start this season. As the start of the conference season approached, they were over the .500 mark and playing some solid volleyball.
“All of our losses have come in tournaments, and we’ve had a lot of very close losses,” coach Ashley Seals said. “I’m definitely encouraged by how we’ve been playing this season.”
Seals is in her first year of coaching the varsity after coaching the junior varsity last year.
A trio of senior veterans leads the way for the Eagles. Hailey Gregory is the team’s top hitter. Tia Jolls returns at middle blocker, and Sierra Assemany is back at libero. The team has also received strong play from sophomore Marissa Schitt, who gives the team good size as a middle blocker.
“Overall, I think we are a very aggressive serving team,” Seals said. “We also have seven seniors, so we have a lot of good leadership. We have a good, well-rounded group that has been together a long time.”
The Eagles have turned in solid efforts at tournaments this season. They reached the semifinals of the Greenville Daily News tournament and placed second at the Fulton Invitational.
They look to challenge Sacred Heart Academy and Ashley for the league title. “This team definitely has the potential to win a league and a district championship,” Seals said. “Those are two of our goals for sure. As long as we can finish games, we have a chance to win the league and the district.”