The Randolph-Henry High School varsity and junior varsity (JV) girls volleyball teams began their seasons Tuesday evening at Bluestone High School and have encouraged their coaches with strong preparation for 2017.

New to the varsity head coach position this year is Nikki Elder, who has had previous experience as the JV coach and assistant varsity coach. Sandy Mayhew will be leading the JV volleyball team.

“Both teams have been working hard the past two weeks,” Elder said recently, “in preparation for the approaching season, and I am very optimistic for both teams for the upcoming season. We are fortunate to have a mixture of skillful experienced players as well as young players with a lot of talent on the varsity team.”

Mayhew said, “As for the JV team, we are very young. These ladies have been working hard not just on the basic skills but learning a new offense and defense. These ladies show a lot of promise to have a great season and with a lot of hard work I believe this team will be successful.”

Returning seniors to the varsity team includes outside hitters Annie Sandridge and Anna Grace Cary, middle hitter Kierra Jones, setter Hannah Pasciuta and defensive specialist Anna Pasciuta. Junior team members are setter Michaela Miller and middle hitter Morgan Mason. Sophomore players are Leighan Payne and Liyah Stevenson and rounding out the team is freshman Lilian Jubb.

The JV team, with a full squad of 12, has four returning players from last year’s team. They include freshman setter Abby Clements, middle hitter Sydney Williams, defensive specialist Pearl Sandridge and outside hitter Vicie Southall. Eight freshmen round out the team and include middle hitter India Spencer, setter Mollie Mayhew, outside hitters Morgan Lawson  and AnnaLeigh Lokker and defensive specialists Cassidy Russell, Chastity Dunaway, Tori Noe and Hayley Perkinson.