The Perry volleyball team returns most of the key pieces from their 7-32 squad last year, and head coach John Fulton and his team are hoping the lessons learned as a young and inexperienced team in 2018 will blossom into a more successful 2019.
Fulton said any increase in victories will depend largely on one factor, and, he added, it is an area in which the Jayettes can control their own destiny.
“We have to pass the ball better, simple as that,” he said. “Everything revolves around getting into our offense and not giving away simple points or creating easy free balls for the opponent.”
“Our serve-receive has to improve, but beyond that, we have to make that second pass are good one, too,” Fulton continued. “When we receive free balls we need to turn them into points, and that comes back to passing, too. We have to be able to handle the ball and communicate better, and we have been doing both better as we prepare for the season.”
Junior Kacy Nevitt returns to lead the attack. She had 198 kills and 30 blocks last season while adding 79 digs and serving 150-of-197 with a team-high 46 aces. Jasmine Shriver (68 kills, 186 digs) will also add to the offense.
Sophomores Peyton Tunink and Jayna Kenney will be asked to step into more assertive roles. Tunink had 27 kills last season while Kenney was a top server, connecting on 138-of-152 with 10 aces.
Senior Magley Orellana returns as the team libero. She provided 326 digs and served 96-108-13 as a junior.
Junior Quinn Whiton made 339 of Perry’s 400 assists last year and will resume her setter role. Whiton had 110 digs, 11 blocks and was 211-240-13 behind the serve line.
Also figuring into the mix will be defensive specialist Mary Ann Riesberg, a senior, and right side player Ashley Cerna, a freshman. Others will have a chance to earn playing time, Fulton said.
Perry begins play Thursday when they host Fort Dodge St. Edmond and Greene County. The Jayettes face the former at 4:30 p.m. and the latter in the third match.
