Expectations high for Trojan volleyball

Fairfield?s volleyball program saw the 2015 conference player of the year graduate last season and had a coach that had been leading the program for 30 years resign upon the season?s end. For most teams, that would bring about years of rebuilding and refocusing under a new regime, but after 33 wins last season and a lot of talent returning, expect the Trojans to have a very successful 2016 year.

Will it be another 33-4 season? Maybe not, but Fairfield will be extremely competitive in the Southeast Conference and will likely be ranked and battling for a postseason slot as the season hits its twilight. The Trojans were the only team in the conference to finish with a winning record, with Fort Madison taking second at 18-18. Even with Nancy Diers gone, new head coach Diana Drish has worked in the program with Diers for years and was a major player in the Fairfield system. The players already know her well and she?s seen success at the freshman level, sending that talent up the pipeline to further accolades as varsity players.

Bolstering the Trojans? potential is the return of Shelby Heston. The senior finished 10th in class 4A with 346 kills last season and is one of only four in the top-10 that wasn?t a senior last year. Also back on the other side will be sophomore Kara Jeffrey, who exploded onto the scene last year for 158 kills to complement Heston and prevent teams from singling out the senior. Natalie Angstead, who had a very strong finish to 2015, also returns as a potential third front-line player to really solidify that position group of hitters and blockers to give opposing teams fit.

Even with all that returning talent on the frontline, the Trojans could really shine in the backfield defensively. Kaylee Watson returns for her senior year after finishing seventh in the class with 474 digs last season. The next highest in the conference as a reference point was teammate Kelsey Roberts with 297. Danae Drish comes back as a sophomore as another strong defender for Fairfield and the Trojans have plenty of talent just waiting in the wings for their opportunity to shine.

The two biggest question marks for Fairfield will be serving and setting. Danae Drish will likely take over as the primary setter with Roberts?s graduation, and was one of Fairfield?s top servers last season. Watson will also be in the mix as a server with over 200 serves last season. Fairfield lost Mackenzie Flattery, Delaney Neil and Mackenzi Harwood to graduation, which will leave the team searching for answers at that position early in the season.

While many other teams would be rebuilding after all the losses that Fairfield took this offseason, the Trojans will likely reload and push forward for another bid at the state tournament in 2016.