OxfordPress.com

Talawanda's Lady Braves volleyball team has high hopes for another strong season as they open this week.

Last year the Lady Braves went undefeated in the Mid-Miami League South, claiming the division title. THS finished out the season with an overall record of 19-5.

But the Lady Braves graduated five talented players last year, leaving the team leadership in the hands of senior captains Savanah Bertsch and Brittany Sandlin.

Both third-year varsity players, Bertsch and Sandlin must lead their team to face fresh competition in Talawanda's new league, the Fort Ancient Valley Conference.

At the end of the 2005-06 school year, the school's former conference, the Mid-Miami League, disbanded.

"Playing against teams we've never faced will be a new challenge," Sandlin said.

Though the team is looking forward to the new competition, Talawanda's coach of eight years, Bill Zehler, said they will miss the old teams from the MML.

"The team this year is small, Zehler said. "We don't have a player over 5-foot-8."

But the lack of height forces the girls to focus on their other strengths.

"We won't be a big physical team," Zehler said, "but we will rely on defense and quickness."

Zehler and both captains agreed that defense would be the team's strong suit.

"We're really scrappy," Bertsch said.

All three also said the team chemistry is really great this year which makes for a stronger team.

The Lady Braves lost in their season opener against Union County Monday.