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KEVIN JOHNSON

kkjohnson@bonitanews.com

Coming off its best season, the South Fort Myers volleyball team enters year number four with lofty goals.

“I think a district championship is within our grasp,” said second year coach Kristin Ward, who guided the Wolfpack to an impressive 17-5 record in her debut campaign.

But the year ended on a sour note with a loss to Riverdale in the district semifinals. Making it out of districts and into the regional tournament for the first time is a high priority for a team that returns all but two players.

“The seniors are really hungry this year,” said Ward. “I think we all felt we had a disappointing district showing. They are the first senior class to finish out from freshman year to senior year. They’re excited to go out there and prove something.”

Which is why the commitment knob was turned up in the off-season.

“I think we’ll be a much better team than last year,” said Ward. “The girls really worked hard this summer. We were in the gym after school three times a week, lifting, running, working on skills.”

For the second year in a row, South participated in a summer camp at the University of Tampa. The Wolfpack won its division at the camp.

Two key returnees — senior setter Samantha Wylie and senior outside Jessica Himalstein — were pivotal figures in South’s breakout season in 2007. The duo will be counted on again this year.

“They’re the heart of our team,” said Ward. “We kind of center and rally around them and I look to them for leadership, but we have a lot of outstanding players.”

Indeed, it is an athletic group that features four seniors, two juniors and three sophomores.

Himalstein will be aided in attack chores by fellow senior Chelsea Davis, sophomore Ashley Clark and junior Krystale Sullivan. Clark fit right in as a freshman starter last season. Sullivan is a transfer from powerful Evangelical Christian School.

“Krystale is a good, solid player. She’s very consistent,” said Ward.

South’s middle will be patrolled by senior Sarah Shaw and junior Stacy Nowicki. JV graduates Jessica Mabry and Chelsey McNutt — both sophomores — round out the roster.

Success apparently breeds popularity. Thirty-five girls tried out for the program. Ward said the JV squad will feature a strong core of freshmen.

All eyes will be focused on the varsity squad when the Wolfpack open their season Sept. 2 at home.

“All these girls are friends on and off the court. We have a really good team closenesss,” said Ward. “We all have the same goals. They’ve really worked hard all summer to get ready.”

Coach: Kristin Ward

Asst. Coach: Patti Moul

# Player Grade

2. Jessica Marby 10

3. Samantha Wylie 12

4. Chelsea Davis 12

5. Ashley Clark 10

6. Chelsey McNutt 10

7. Jessica Himalstein 12

10. Stacy Nowicki 11

12. Krystale Sullivan 11

15. Sarah Shaw 12

Schedule

Sept. 2 vs Lehigh

Sept. 4 at Dunbar

Sept. 9 vs Riverdale

Sept. 10 vs East Lee

Sept. 11 at Lemon Bay

Sept. 16 at Cypress Lake

Sept. 18 vs Estero

Sept. 20 at G. Gate Invit.

Sept. 23 at Clewiston

Sept. 25 at Riverdale

Oct. 1 vs Dunbar

Oct. 2 at Estero

Oct. 6 at Lehigh

Oct. 7 at LaBelle

Oct. 10 vs Golden Gate

Oct. 13 at East Lee

Oct. 14 vs Gateway

Oct. 20 vs Ida Baker

Oct. 22 LCAC cross-over