Last year Towanda finally broke through that glass ceiling that had been plaguing them for the past several seasons - they made the district playoffs. Now they're hungry for more.

"It's just more to look forward to," Senior Karis Flynn said. "We can go above and beyond's o we're really looking forward to going to that next level beyond what we did last year."

First, though, they have to find a way to replace their seniors - particularly Brooklyn Evans and her 200 plus digs and kills.

"You can never really replace a player," coach Cassie Smith said. "We are definitely looking to some certain players to step it up, and create some opportunities that are going to be great for the team as a whole. We have a very large junior class, we're looking to them to fill some spots there, and our seniors are great leaders."

One change might be moving Flynn from setter to hitter this year.

"I look forward to it every year," Flynn said about setting. "They're going to work me in as a hitter this year, which I'm excited for, but every day is a new day, and you get to learn something new every day."

Flynn finished with over 500 assists last year but also had 66 kills, showing her versatility.

"We love to work her into some different skills and things," Smith said. "We'll be working with her for sure. She is very athletic, she's very versatile, so what's going to happen is, and we've already discussed this with all our players, we're putting our team first, and wherever they're needed, that's where they're going to go."

Lariah Long will return at outside hitter. She was second on the team in kills with 83 with 237 digs and 29 aces.

Her biggest contribution, though, might be her senior leadership.

"It's definitely a lot of responsibility," said Long. "I want people to look up to me, and I want them to take on the tradition, just like I did. We're definitely teaching the younger ones how to be a leader, and step up to the big role."

Brynsen Vargason led the team in digs a year ago with 317 after taking over the libero role. 

After those three, though, there's plenty of opportunity for the younger players, and one player Smith is excited to see is Kendall Kellogg.

Kellogg spent most of last year injured, and is ready to get back out on the court.

"It feels pretty good," she said about being healthy. "I'm putting in the hard work. You can definitely see how it works out in the end, it's all worth it."

She knows there's big shoes to fill.

"I see all of our players are improving every practice," said Kellogg. "We'll have plenty of grounded newcomers coming in to fill those shoes. I'm excited to see what the team looks like after."

Addison Barrett and Kylee Barnes both saw time in the middle last year, and expect to see them back out there in that role this year.

Once they set line-up they'll see how they stack up in the NTL Large School, and District IV, Class AAA race - and both of those are shaping up to be gauntlets. Every team in the division feels like they can claim the league title.

For the playoffs the PIAA sent the classifications from four to six, but Class AAA - Towanda's new home - is filled with a lot of the same opponents they've had to deal with in the league and beyond.

The Knights were able to get a district win last year before falling in the quarterfinals. They'd like to stay in the playoffs a little bit longer this year.

"Some of our goals are to make it far - that's the big one," Long said.

As last year showed Smith believes anything is possible.

"Last year is in the past, we don't really like to set our goals based on past dreams and goals and things like that," she said. "These girls are working hard, they can do it. I believe in them. They have a lot to bring to the table, a lot of potential. It's definitely in our sights, definitely what we're looking for."

ROSTER

Kylee Barnes (12)

Hannah Crawford (12)

Karis Flynn (12)

Lariah Long (12)

Alyana Rankin (12)

Brynsen Vargason (12)

Addison Barrett (11)

Paige Buchanan (11)

London Decker (11)

Maddie Henry (11)

Ali Hollett (11)

Kendall Kellogg (11)

Lennon Rice (11)

Molly Roberts (11)

Samantha Harigan (10)

Mercede Overpeck (10)

Emma Space (10)

Lucie Gruson (10)

Lesley Parker (10)

Mackenzie Young (10)

Addison Aquilio (9)

Emma Bride (9)

Ailyn Dulaney (9)

Kellie Greene (9)

Adaleigh Jankowsky (9)

Madelyn Nash (9)

Ella Rice (9)

Anistyn Walker (9)

SCHEDULE

Aug. 29 vs NPL, 7 p.m.

Sep. 1 at Wyalusing, 7 p.m.

Sep. 3 vs Wellsboro, 7 p.m.

Sep. 8 vs CV, 7 p.m.

Sep. 10 at Athens, 7 p.m.

Sep. 15 at Canton, 7 p.m.

Sep. 17 vs Troy, 7 p.m.

Sep. 22 vs Williamson, 7 p.m.

Sep. 24 at NEB, 7 p.m.

Oct. 1 vs Sayre, 7 p.m.

Oct. 6 vs Wyalusing, 7 p.m.

Oct. 8 at NPL, 7 p.m.

Oct. 13 at Wellsboro, 7 p.m.

Oct. 15 vs Athens, 7 p.m.

Oct. 20 at Troy, 7 p.m.