POULSBO — Perhaps the most integral part of the Poulsbo Panthers volleyball team this year will be the hands of setter Amy Cox.
The ninth grade veteran, who’ll serve as the transition between defensive digs and offensive kills, has to be in the right position to set the ball — and then put it up just right for her hitters up front to kill.
“I want to make sure the hitters can get to it,” Cox explained. “I set the ball the way I would like to hit it.”
The team is not shy about admitting that its passing game — one it revealed was weak a year ago but much stronger for its upcoming season — revolves around Cox.
“We want to work better passes this year,” said ninth grade outside hitter Jessica Ouellet. “The first step to good play is the pass.”
The 26 player team — half of which is on the varsity — has been focused on the passing, as well as setting up the point offensively.
“We’re working on the fundamentals,” said PJH head coach Amy Johnson. “Getting good passes to the center, working on overhand serves for power.”
The team graduated five players to North Kitsap High School last year but has six seniors ready to play this year, including Cox, who has experience in outside league play as well as being on the Panther team for the past two years; and Ouellet, who has also played for two years at PJH along with having outside experience.
All and all, a determined team combined with a lot of skill has Panther players and coaches pondering what the season ahead will bring.
“I’m really excited about this year,” Johnson said “We have a lot of experience coming back — a lot of solid talent.”
Among the things anticipated is the team’s two games with cross-North End rivals the Kingston Cavaliers. The team lost twice to Kingston last year and Johnson said revenge is definitely on the list of team goals.
“We’re getting excited to face them,” she said.
But however things go, Johnson said the squad has a very friendly dynamic that makes playing — not just winning — meaningful as well.
“They’re a great bunch of friends,” Johnson commented. “Winning is important to them, but so is having fun.”
With a new head coach at North Kitsap High School in Tim French, Johnson is also looking forward to the prospect of developing more of a connection from the seventh grade level all the way through the end of high school.
“I hope that Coach French and I can get together and develop an overall program,” Johnson said.
For the immediate season, Johnson said attaining an above .500 winning percentage isn’t important but she won’t talk specifics.
“I feel good about this year,” Johnson said. “I don’t want to jinx myself, so I’ll leave it at that.”
Gray box: Varsity roster
Sarah Barrett
Kolby Carlson
Jordan Chargulaf
Lindsay Colson
Amy Cox
Haley Fidler
Jessica Gruber
Lindsay Kocker
Janay Klamke
Talia Meyers
Meagan Oost
Jessica Ouellet
Kristia Vestman
Graybox: Panthers at home
The Poulsbo Junior High School volleyball team will open its season at 3 p.m. today at home versus Central Kitsap. Other home contests include: John Sedgwick Oct. 4; Bremerton Oct. 6; Kingston Oct. 20; Fairview Oct. 25; and Ridgetop Oct. 27. All matches are at 3 p.m.
