Anna Turner puts a kill between two Reed blockers during a match last season. Turner will be a senior with the Senators and is expecting to play a big role in the block for Carson this fall.
Photo by Jeff Mulvihill, Jr. | InstaImage.
Carson High volleyball and second year head coach Brittany Witter have made some changes for the upcoming season.
Offensively, the Senators will look similar to last year, but defensively will feature some new looks for Carson
“I’m really excited for the season because I have a year under my belt,” said Witter. “I’m expecting a huge blocking line.”
On that blocking line will be returners Anna Turner and Sarah Miller, who were the top two on the team in blocks last year.
Turner, who had 20 blocks last season, returns for her senior year after also posting 62 kills for the Senators.
Miller, who is a junior this fall, led the squad with 32 blocks during her sophomore year and had 53 kills of her own.
“I expect them to lead the league this year (in blocks),” said Witter. “Our goal this year is to put up a really strong block and makes teams hit around us.”
Joining the two of them will be freshman Abigail Franco, who will be an outside hitter when not playing in the middle.
Witter’s expectations for Franco are high as she anticipates her to tally as many blocks as the upperclassmen.
The Senators feature a team full of club players who should quickly transition to the varsity speed if they’re new to the Senator varsity uniform.
“I’m expecting my girls to be a little quicker on their digs this year,” said Witter. “They’re really smart on if my block is strong, my defense can be stronger.”
Along with a quicker group behind the front line, Witter anticipates the team to be stronger at serving as well.
Kylie Heckman will be the team’s right side hitter to start the season while Dayna Myrehn is expected to be a contributor once she’s able to hit the floor.
Riley Kolsch will take over at setter and Witter anticipates the senior leader to give Carson the looks to run a quicker offense.
Carson will utilize a 5-1 this year, featuring a single setter.
Around the league
With a 3-14 record from a year ago, Witter is confident the Senators will finish stronger in her second year at the helm.
“We didn’t really play holistically as a team last year. This year they play as a team and you can see it. I’m expecting us to improve greatly in our win-loss ratio,” said Witter.
Of course, Carson will want to win as many contests against Douglas as possible, though don’t expect Tigers to be too eager to let that happen.
Reno and Bishop Manogue are, of course, the favorites in Northern Nevada just as they were last year.
Damonte Ranch is under new leadership and Witter anticipates the Mustangs to be a tough foe this fall.
Coaching staff
Witter will be the lone varsity coach this year, taking the bench without an assistant. Amy Justin remains as the junior varsity head coach while Amy Westre has taken over as the freshman coach.
Varsity roster
Ava Kordonowy, So.; Anna Turner, Sr.; Alyson Murphy, Sr.; Gabi Green, Sr.; Josie Nerska, So.; Erin Peterson, Sr.; Riley Kolsch, Sr.; Anela Mitchell, Sr.; Clarissa Quintana, So.; Abigail Franco, Fr.; Madelyn Monson, Jr.; Kylie Heckman, Jr.; Dayna Myrehn, Jr.; Zowie Shatswell, So.; Sarah Miller, Jr.
