Size has not been a strong point for the St. James High School volleyball team for a while.
However this fall seems to be an exception for the Lady Tigers, as St. James will trot out some tall players against the competition in 2010.
First-year Lady Tiger head coach Pam Gray, an assistant for the squad last season, has four starters back to build around. She has 11 players on the varsity squad and 10 on the junior varsity team.
St. James is slated to open the season Monday at DeSoto.
“They’re working as a team,” Gray said. “We’re working on fundamentals and conditioning. I think we’re going to be competitive.
“We have a height advantage this year, which is something new. M.J. Buschmann and Rachel Hays have both been hitting very well.”
Hays, a 6-2 senior, and Buschmann, a 5-11 sophomore, are among the strong hitters so far in the preseason.
Hays and seniors Ashley Strong and Chelsea Dillon will be middle hitters for the Lady Tigers while Buschmann is a right hitter and junior Tiffany Payne and junior Kristin Hofstetter are both outside hitters.
Senior Hanan Southard will serve as a defensive specialist. Setters include a pair of freshmen in Madi McMillen and Ali Kean.
“I think we will be a well-rounded team,” Gray said. “We’re trying to get our setters confidence at the varsity level.”
Gray feels the Four Rivers Conference race will be another stern test.
“We’re in a tough conference,” she said. “Hermann will be an excellent team and Sullivan and St. Clair will also be very tough.”
