Cardinal volleyball looking to future with young squad

No area team was hit harder by the 2012 graduating class than Cardinal volleyball, which lost much of its varsity roster this offseason.

Six Comets graduated, and another ? sophomore Jordan Smith ? transferred to Solon. Losing that many players from one year to the next might make some coaches a little down, but not so for third-year head coach Jerald Harter.

?I never go into a season expecting that we?re not going to be competitive, and if we do what we?re supposed to do by serving the ball, passing the ball, hitting the ball and setting the ball, we?ll win some matches,? said Harter.

With so many new faces on the court, the team?s win-loss record may just come down to how quickly they learn to play together.

Outside hitter Lindsay Moore returns with varsity experience and is the lone senior on the roster, while Leea Ostrander, Schylar Conger and Ashlyn Martin make up the inexperienced junior class.

?These juniors who have been in my program for two years know what they?re supposed to be doing. They just now have to do it,? said Harter. ?They?ve been waiting for two years, and now is their chance to shine.?

If the juniors can?t make the most of the opportunity, a group of talented freshmen are waiting in the wings, said Harter.

?We have a really good group of ninth-graders,? he said. ?They?re pushing real hard and making the other players better too.?

The freshman class includes the two tallest players on the roster, Delaney Ridgeway and Dakota Durflinger, as well as Lexi Fullencamp, Cassidy McMartin and Shelby Smith.

Ridgeway will be a starter from day one as a middle hitter, and Harter already has reason to believe she?ll be dominant.

Sophomores Alexis Adam, Katey Liles and Danae Moses fill out the remaining spots on the roster.

Lyndsey Noe is the new assistant coach under Harter.

The Comets open up the season at home Aug. 30 against Southeast Iowa Superconference favorite Holy Trinity.