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<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"WILLIAMSBURG \u2014 Dirk Berta\u2019s Williamsburg Lady Yellow Jackets volleyball team is coming off of a 17-14 campaign with hopes of being even better this season.
Berta\u2019s squad has won the 13th Region All \u2018A\u2019 Classic championship four years in a row, and looks to continue its success.
\u201cWe have two seniors returning from last season, Kylee and Karina Nantz,\u201d he said. \u201cBoth players got selected to the 50th District All Tournament team and the 13th Region All \u2018A\u2019 Tournament team last season. Kylee is a great all-around player, and we will be using her to both set in the back row and hit in the front row. Karina is one of the best defensive players in the region. We rely on her consistency in the back row as our libero. Both girls have a very high volleyball IQ and the rest of the team looks to them for leadership.
\u201cWe also have other returning starters in Braeleigh McCullah and Lacey Bray,\u201d Berta added. \u201cBoth of them were also selected to the 13th Region All \u2018A\u2019 Tournament team and made a great impact for us last year and we expect for them to this year as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOf course we expect Kylee, Karina, and Braeleigh to contribute as they are returning starters,\u201d he continued. \u201cWe are looking for others to step up and contribute in several positions and rotations, including Braylee Evans, Kinley McNew, Gracie Bray, Addie Jarboe, Allie Peace, Magomery Douglas and Payton Taylor. All of these players will need to step up and contribute and we fully expect them to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Berta said his team has several strengths, including knowing his players knowing their jobs on the court, trust in their abilities, and trusting each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI fully expect communication to be a strength as well,\u201d he said. \u201cWe have been focusing a lot on serve receive and defense this preseason and want that to be a strength for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSome unknowns that we have noticed include filling in the several positions that have either graduated or transferred,\u201d Berta added. \u201cWhile it can be seen as an unknown, it could also be characterized as a strength because it\u2019s gives others an opportunity to grow and earn playing time. We have told the girls that everything is still in pencil and they need to be working to earn a spot in the rotation. We are attacking each day and opportunity with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another competitive schedule will have Berta\u2019s squad prepared for postseason play along with the 13th Region All \u2018A\u2019 Tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs always the 50th District is the toughest district in the in the region, so you get six high level games within the district,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019ve added games against all teams that qualified for the 13th Region Tournament from last season and we\u2019ve added games from outside the region that have qualified for their respective region tournaments. So, yes, this is a schedule that will prepare us for postseason competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n