Troy volleyball has been on a historically good run, now they'd like to keep it going. That'll be tough with them losing a very talented outgoing senior class, but coach Abby Herman-Deitrick believes they'll keep the Trojan train chugging.

"Obviously, they were a big part of our team," said Troy senior Alli Bailey. "But we have a lot of younger people coming up. We still have a lot of people from last year, and I'm really excited for it."

Coming in as league and district champs means they'll get everybody's best, and they'll have to do it without their stalwarts from the last three years - middle hitter Ary Andrus and setter Brenna Jackson. Andrus had 408 kills and 90 blocks last year while Jackson finished with 629 assists and 212 digs.

"I definitely think we have two huge roles to fill, but I think we can do it," said Haidyn Watson. "We definitely don't have the height we did last year, but I think we've got girls working hard all summer. Everybody's going to want to fight for those spots."

Watson had a strong all-around season last year with 188 kills, 92 aces, and 231 digs.

"She definitely knows she's going to have to step up this year," said Herman-Deitrick. "She's been working on a lot of different things for me. I think she's excited to take that role on. She knows what she needs to do. I'll be excited to see what she can do now this year as she'll be someone we're going to have to rely on for every where."

Watson credits those same senior leaders for preparing her for this role on the team.

"I'm not nervous to step into the upperclassman's role," she said. 

Incoming sophomore Alexa Lawrence had a big season as a freshman with 97 kills, and 238 digs.

"I'm really looking for her to step up," Herman-Deitrick said.

Other than that the veteran coach knows she's got a big hole to fill in the middle.

"We had somebody who could put the ball down undeniably," Herman-Deitrick remarked. "Now we've got to find a couple people that can do that it just as consistent as her, if not more. I think they're all ready for it. It'll probably be harder than I anticipate, but I do think that there's a lot of girls that are ready to step up."

Last year Bella Wood had 72 kills and 14 spending some time in the middle for the Trojans.

Defensively Bailey returns as libero. She had a team high 386 digs last year to go with 60 aces.

"I have a lot of fun," Bailey said about going for those digs. 

She'll have plenty of chances to have more fun this year as Troy changes up their defense without Andrus in the middle.

"We'll definitely have a bigger hole for our blocks to cover," Herman-Deitrick said. "We're going to have to watch out for short middle, anything that wasn't there in the last couple of years."

She has a lot to choose from to see who soaks up those spots with 32 on the roster, and 12 freshmen.

"Replacing someone like Ari is tough, but setter is also important - it might even be more important in some ways," Herman-Deitrick said. "I've got two girls that have been working all off season fighting for the position or share it, whether it's for the 5-1 or 6-2."

Troy comes in as the 2-time league champs, then finally got over the district hump last year, so they have a big bulls-eye but it's not something they haven't dealt with before.

"I think it feels good because it gives you something to work for," said Watson. "We want to be better than what we were last year. I definitely think that there are girls who are going to want to work to do that. Everybody wants to be a part of that."

ROSTER

Bella Wood (12)

Alli Bailey (12)

Taylor Brown (12)

Reese Robinson (12)

Haidyn Watson (11)

Elliana Gundersen (11)

Aubree Kenyon (11)

Nya Watson (11)

Evelyn Schonher (11)

Myah Bradley (11)

Emilee Purcell (11)

Maeleigh Deitrick (11)

Georgia Hineman (10)

Gracie Feldmeier (10)

Alexa Lawrence (10)

Sarah Caudill (10)

Liana Lyon (10)

Bella King (10)

Gracilynn Brown (10)

Jazmyn Frisbie (10)

Mya McClure (9)

Leah Machmer (9)

Kelsey Estep (9)

Mya Monro (9)

Madison Morgan (9)

Lainey Spalding (9)

Addyson Brown (9)

Adelyn Theodorakos (9)

Aahleisia Cummings (9)

Payton Dibble (9)

Alexis Cayer (9)

Grace DePetta (9)

SCHEDULE

Sep. 1 vs Athens, 7 p.m.

Sep. 3 vs Wyalusing, 7 p.m.

Sep. 8 at Williamsport, 7 p.m.

Sep. 10 at NPL, 7 p.m.

Sep. 15 at NEB, 7 p.m.

Sep. 17 at Towanda, 7 p.m.

Sep. 19 vs Montoursville, 12:15 p.m.

Sep. 22 vs Sayre, 7 p.m.

Sep. 24 vs Troy, 7 p.m.

Sep. 25 at Dallas, 7 p.m.

Sep. 29 at CV, 7 p.m.

Oct. 1 at Williamson, 7 p.m.

Oct. 6 at Athens, 7 p.m.

Oct. 8 vs Wellsboro, 7 p.m.

Oct. 13 at Wyalusing, 7 p.m.

Oct. 15 vs NPL, 7 p.m.

Oct. 17 at Horseheads Tournament

Oct. 20 vs Towanda, 7 p.m.

Oct. 22 at Wellsboro, 7 p.m.