It's a good news, bad news situation for the Carson High volleyball program.
The good news is with nine players returning from last year's team, the Senators will have an experienced and talented team that has the potential to make a run at qualifying for the NIAA/U.S. Bank 4A State Championships. But the bad news is the Northern 4A looks tougher than ever.
But there's more good news for the Northern 4A, which will advance three teams to the state tournament this year, which will be hosted by Galena. The north received only two berths to the state tournament last year.
The Northern 4A looks like a five-team race for those three spots between Galena, Fallon, Douglas, South Tahoe and Carson.
The Northern 4A is full of players who have already committed to Division I programs or could potentially play at the college level. They include Fallon's Carly Sorensen and setter Tristin Adams, Douglas High's Emily Haas and Brittany Addeo and Galena's Joanna Hixon. "There's a lot of good players," Carson coach Daryl James said.
Another player who could potentially be a Division I prospect is Carson outside hitter Rachael DeRiemer. Her only drawback as an outside hitter at the Division I level is her size at 5-10.
"I think she's got a shot," said James about playing Division I. "She's definitely good enough to play college volleyball."
"She should have a great senior year. I expect her to be just another step better than she was last year."
Returning on the outside to give Carson a strong one-two offensive punch is Shannon Devereaux. Teri Niederer returns as a middle blocker and Kaitlin Brush returns as another outside hitter. "She's playing very well right now," said James about Brush.
Other returning players include middle blocker Alyssa Wilson and outside hitter Colleen Doyle. Tabitha Adams returns to set up the attack.
"She is a really good athlete," said James about Adams. "She's improved a lot."
Returning in the back row are Katie Lawson and Jessica Smallman.
"They both do a good job passing and playing defense for us," James said.
Erin Amodei will be the backup setter, Adrienne Fletcher will be another outside hitter and adding depth as a middle blocker will be 6-2 freshman Nicole Scott.
"I think we'll be in the battle," said James about contending for a spot in the state tournament. "We've got a lot of maturity and confidence."
"Pretty much all of them are all-around players," James also said about his team. "We ought to be an all-around good club."
Carson should find out where it stands with some of the state's best teams early in the season when it scrimmages Fallon on Tuesday and then opens the season Aug. 29 and 30 in the Las Vegas Tournament. "It's fun to go against the better teams," James said.
Charles Whisnand is the Nevada Appeal Sports Editor.