With only one senior starter gone from last year’s team, the Plains Trotters are hoping an experienced group of returning players will be the key to a good 2021 volleyball season.

Coach Jesse Butcher welcomed approximately 20 players who turned out for the sport this past week and is encouraged by the level of experience with which she has to work.

“This group has solid experience on the volleyball court,” she said. “Everyone is back except Dacia Black, the lone senior starter from last year. We will not be real tall but there is a lot of athleticism out there.”

Among the top returning players are seniors Izzy Butcher, a setter; Kaylah Standeford, setter; Lexa Craft, Madison Elliot, and Genna Deschamps. All saw extensive playing time last year, as did junior Piper Bergstrom.

“We have the five returning seniors and five returning starters (out of six)”, Butcher said. “We are expecting a lot out of the returners and out of Bergstrom in the middle.”

She said Kallen Burrows, a junior, will also play a major role this year.

Butcher said one of the strengths of the team will be its competitive attitude.

“These girls are all fierce competitors. They are good at gutting things out and working hard.”

The lack of height will result in a new look to this year’s offense, according to Butcher.

“We will look different because we are small,” she said. “We will adjust our play to match our athleticism.” The team opens play this weekend at the Mission tournament in St. Ignatius and Butcher said she and her team are ready to go and anxious to see where they stand early in the season.

“Mission is a tough tournament,” she said. “This will be a real good opportunity to see where we are at. I’m excited to see new competition and get going.

"We have a balanced team. Five or six of these girls could play a lot of places.”

After this weekend’s play, the Trotters return to Mission Sept. 2 for a game against the Lady Bulldogs, then open play at home Sept. 4 with a game against Arlee. That game will start at 1 p.m.