BAINBRIDGE-GUILFORD

Bainbridge-Guilford challenged for a league championship last year, and has perhaps the most dynamic player in the league, senior Morgan Bullis, along with fellow senior hitter Tierney Decker to lead this year’s attack. Bullock has proven an all-around threat as a hitter, setter, server, and defender.

Bullock will work in more of a setter’s role this year with last year’s setter, expected to return, forgoing her final season due to a work commitment.

Four other players also return from last season, and will move from reserve to key roles. Cadi Barber will help out with setting, hitting, and defense; seniors Ashlyn Decker and Lindsey Castle will add to the hitting; and sophomore Camille Hawkins gives the Bobcats options up front as an ambidextrous hitter.

At libero is exchange student Lizzie Guis, and Oxford transfer, Montessa Warner, will see time as a defensive specialist.

Newcomers to the program are seniors Autumn Trask, Allysa Ostrander, and Meghan Hopkins, who played volleyball at lower levels. “It should be an interesting year, and I look forward to a lot of hard work,” said B-G’s longtime coach, Pam Tompkins. “I also look forward to seeing how these ladies improve over the season.”

NORWICH

The offseason has been a fruitful one for Norwich volleyball, who won a late-summer tournament, and also captured the Johnson City summer league title. As a result, Norwich is seeking a third sectional playoff appearance in four years, and hopes to achieve the program’s second winning season in four years.

“This summer we played a lot of volleyball in two different leagues, and had a lot of gym time,” said head coach Shelly Alger. “We have height in our middle positions, which will bring back a strong attack for us, and our outside veterans will score for us often, too. We are also running a new twist to our offense with strong setters this season.

Alger has an abundance of returning starters, and experienced reserves, all of whom are capable of valuable contributions. At the outside hitting positions are seniors Courtney Scheer and Jacasa Currie. Vanessa Salerno, a junior, and Meghan Komendarek, a sophomore, are strong middle hitters. Depth is also plentiful at setter with third-year starter Caitlyn Brown along with Cassie Birtch.