Robert Maw is no stranger to volleyball in Carson City.
Maw coached for seven years at Carson Middle School and for five years with the local volleyball club.
Now he's Carson High's new volleyball coach, replacing Justin Malley, who resigned at the end of last season.
"I'm very excited," Maw said last week. "A lot of the girls on the team are girls I first had in middle school. I've spent a lot of time on the court with these girls."
Maw said not much has changed, but his girls would probably disagree. The first-year CHS coach instituted a 10-week boot camp over the summer, which included weights and running.
"We're not going to lose games because people are in better shape than us," Maw said.
Maw started with varsity players having to run a mile in 7-minutes and 40 seconds. He since has had that changed to 7:55, and he indicated that there still are three or four girls yet to reach that goal.
Carson returns eight players from last year's playoff squad - outside hitter Sarah Lushina, middle blocker Tiana McAllister-Daggs, middle blocker Christa McGahuey, right-side hitter Micaela Von Winkle, outside hitter Kristalei Wolfe, left-side hitter Alyson Chrystl, left-side hitter Angela Augusta and setter Courtney Hack.
"This is a solid group in terms of experience," Maw said. "There is a lot of talent."
Carson opens the season this weekend in Las Vegas.
Maw likes his depth in the middle with McAllister-Daggs and McGahuey. Both are very athletic, and Maw expects some big things from them.
"It's definitely a strength," Maw said. "She (McAllister-Daggs) has confidence in her knee, and she's working to use it. We need the middle blockers to be effective so we can play an up-tempo offense and it will help our outside hitters . Christa is very athletic and long."
Up from the JV squad are outside hitter Laura Mohlenkamp, right-side hitter/setter McKenzie Price, libero Brooklyn Maw and right-side hitter Cammy Forrest.
"Sarah has the potential to play at the next level with her arm swing and reach," Maw said. "She can get it over the top of most blocks."
Maw is asking something different of his hitters.
"I want them to make reads sooner then they have in the past," Maw said. "We want to get one or two plays ahead so we can read quicker. It's more of a situation type of attack."
Another key for Carson is chemistry. Malley admitted there were chemistry issues in the past, and Maw thinks those are in the past.
"Some of these girls have played together for four or five years since Carson Middle School," Maw said. "I don't see any issues. We've been doing a few team-building things. They are excited to play and looking forward to the first game."
Where the Senators finish in league is anybody's guess.
"We certainly have a shot at being the best in the league," Maw said. "Douglas emptied the cupboard. I'm looking forward to our matches (against them)."