PANORA — The Panorama volleyball team was, in a sense, thrown into the fire last season, as a departing senior class from 2018 had left the Panthers with precious little varsity experience.
The result was a difficult 5-21 overall mark, with the team 2-8 in WCAC play.
Now that experience should benefit the squad, as a bevy of talented — and now veteran — players return for head coach Jessica Nail.
Eight seniors, two juniors, one sophomore and one freshman will dress for the Panthers this year. The team does not have a great deal of height, with junior Angel Poldberg (5’10) and freshman Jadyn Sellers (5’9) the tallest of the netters.
That will place an emphasis on more effective serving than the mid-80 percentage posted last season, with more aces also hoped for. It will also mean not missing out on scoring opportunities, which a squad of experienced players should help bring about.
Seniors Emma Powell and Grace Richey will switch off at setter. Powell had 242 assists last year, with 56 digs and a 178-of-204 serving clip that included 15 aces. Richey had 31 kills and 19 blocks at her outside hitter spot, which will remain her primary position.
Senior Shey Storesund had 62 kills, 46 blocks and 53 digs, with Jordan Douglass recording 71 kills and 131 digs while serving 140-181-23. Sisters Audrey and Paige Cmelik, both seniors, will play key roles. The former had 35 kills, 14 blocks and servied 101-109-10 with the latter notching 77 digs while finishing 108-111-7 behind the line.
Brix Gymer will play the libero position after having 72 digs last year, with Poldberg tallying 18 kills.
Senior Cassidy Hoehne, junior Grace Webner, and sophomore Jazmyn Sellers round out the roster and could play their play into important roles.
Panorama visits Earlham Thursday. They will host Ogden Sept. 1 before playing the Coon Rapids-Bayard tournament Sept. 5.
