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Samantha High isn’t interested anymore in hearing that she is taking over for one of Naples High’s best volleyball players from last season.

Sure, Cassie Mang was the presence in the middle of the Golden Eagles’ formations responsible for blocking, tipping — doing anything to keep the ball on the opponent’s side of the net last season — but High isn’t Mang. She’s always been herself, and so far this season, she has been everything Naples has needed to get off to a 2-0 start.

Through those first two matches, High is averaging 12 kills and three blocks and is on the fast track to becoming the most recognizable player in a new cast that is taking over for seven seniors who guided the Eagles to the regional semifinals last season.

“All the girls that left taught us all something, and we are trying to take that and create our own name,” High said. “We know that we are not them and we are not trying to be them. We are building a new bond now and half of the team has been playing together since we were younger.”

Part of establishing that identity is being confident in what she does well, and her talents are definitely not lost on coach Rich Hubbard.

“She has become our offense in the middle and had big shoes to fill in Cassie Mang,” he said. “She is working her way into filling those and has done a fantabulous job. Last season had some starts but now being a full-time starter, she’s a force at the net.”

“I thought Cassie was really good, but until now it has always been ’Just watch Cassie,’” she said. “I like hitting the best and distracting the middle to pull in a player on me so our outside has a one-on-one matchup.”

If teams didn’t already know that High is Naples’ new enforcer up front, it won’t take them long — Naples’ two victories are over rival Barron Collier and district foe Golden Gate — all the more reason for the Eagles to keep up their strong play.

“We started off and didn’t think we were going to play as well as last season,” she said. “But when we saw what we were capable of, that made us want to keep working.”

OTHERS CONSIDERED:

Anizza Custodio, swimming, Palmetto Ridge: Won the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke Wednesday in the Bears win over Neumann and Golden Gate in a three-way meet.

Dalymar Legrand, volleyball, Seacrest Country Day: Had 71 assists in five matches to help the Stingrays to a runner-up finish at the LaBelle Invitational over the weekend.

Olivia Lynch, golf, Community School: Shot back-to-back 40s on Sept. 2 and Thursday in wins over Barron Collier and St. John Neumann, respectively.

Madison Wagner, swimming, South Fort Myers: Senior won the 200 individual medley and 100 butterfly Wednesday in a three-way meet victory over Seacrest and Oasis Charter. Also swam on two winning relay teams.