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Young Lady Dolphin squad hosts preseason jamboree Saturday
Gulf Breeze will play Fort Walton Beach at 10 a.m., followed by Catholic at 11. Fort Walton and Catholic play at 9, while Pace and Milton will play two matches starting at 1 p.m. "As far as experienced players, probably not as many as I'd like, but most of them played competitive softball or volleyball," Sellers said. Of the nine players eligible for this year's team, only five of them remained after tryouts. According to Sellers, the two issues that plagued last year's team - passing and overall team athleticism - have been addressed in the 12 players he selected for this year's varsity squad. "We've got to get players that can pass, find confidence in passing," Sellers said. "We didn't look at their age, which is obvious." Of the 12 players on varsity, more than half are either freshmen or sophomores. One of them, sophomore Tristen Powers, is one of four returning starters. She'll also be the team's setter this year. "She's going to be good," Sellers said. Juniors Tobie Bass, Lacie Brothers and Celia Eddy are the team's other returning starters. Eddy, the team's top offensive player last year, is recovering from offseason knee surgery. "Celia was All Northwest Florida last year and we shouldn't expect any less from her this year," Sellers said. Brothers has become one of the team's leaders, according to Sellers, adding that Bass' game "has blossomed...she's going to be one of our go-to players." Ali Venezia is the team's lone senior. "She's a great team player," Sellers said. Brittany Wheeler, one of the team's four juniors, is a first year varsity player. "Celia's going to draw a lot of double blocks and Brittany's going to be one-on-one with about a 26- inch vertical," Sellers said. "Every day she's in here working hard on her game." Robyn Davidson, a sophomore, is another first year varsity player. "She's really improved the last three or four weeks," Sellers said. Deannette Zuniga, a sophomore, is lettering in her third sport after playing basketball and softball on varsity as a freshman. "She's very, very quick," Sellers said. Kelly Hayes, a sophomore, is the second Hayes to play on varsity in the last three years. Her older sister Jaime was a member of GBHS' 23-4 team in 2005. The younger Hayes will be a backup setter. Three freshmen made this year's varsity squad, led by Lauren Alverson, who Sellers calls "the most complete player I've ever seen here as a freshman. She's very, very quick and makes good decisions." Alison Milam will be a back row specialist, while Jasmine Crowell gives Sellers another front row player. "She's only played one year of rec ball and one in club, which is about four or five months of playing. She's going to be a real special player," Sellers said. As was the case last year, the Lady Dolphins will have to contend with Washington and Navarre to clinch a playoff spot. The Lady Dolphins open the regular season at home against the Lady Wildcats on August 30. "Navarre's got nine seniors and Washington's got those two good middles," Sellers said. The Lady Dolphins had been practicing twice a week until school started this week. The morning practice included a 10- mile bike ride and abdominal work before their afternoon practice. This year is Sellers' first with a sponsor who has prior volleyball experience. Melissa Baxley played in three regional semifinals and one regional final at Central in the late 90s. "I can put Melissa out there - she can train them and tell them what they're doing wrong," Sellers said. Add to that Regina Scott, a former UWF player who helped out last year "we can get a lot done (in practice)," Sellers said. "We've just got to keep working hard, never give up. We've got great kids - we don't have any that goof off. They come in with a purpose." |
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