PREP VOLLEYBALL: Playoffs or bust for CHS

Carson High volleyball coach Justin Malley was straightforward when talking about this year's squad.

"If we don't make the playoffs it will be disappointment; a failure given the quality of kids we have coming back," said Malley, whose team plays in the Las Vegas Invitational this weekend. "We haven't addressed it (not making playoffs last season).

"We have a lot more cohesive team this year. We have a balanced team. We're a year older and more mature from an experience standpoint. There is no drama or division between the kids at least from what I've seen. They are supportive of each other."

Carson returns 10 players from a year ago - outside hitter Alyson Christl, outside hitter Makayla Drahos, setter Bailey Valente, setter Courtney Hack, middle hitter Jeanette Van Sickle, outside hitter Angela Agusta, outside hitter Kristalei Wolfe, outside hitter Jazmyn Stokes, outside hitter Tiana McAllister and 6-foot-5 opposite hitter Elysse Virden.

It's a team strong on outside hitters and three-deep at the setting position. It's also an athletic team.

"We have a lot of balance," Malley said. "We may not have the most dminant player at any one position, and if we don't we're pretty darn close. We're not far off at any position."

Virden, who has never been as dominant as her size should make her, has made a lot of progress.

"She's been putting the time in," Malley said. "She may be ready to have the big breakout year."

Van Sickle also is expected to have a big season. She's a force on offense and defense. She did a lot of her hitting from the right side last year, and that should continue this year.

Malley has been pleased with the play of Sarah Lushina, who was re-habbing an injury last season and didn't play. Augusta and Drahos are a nice mixture of power and athleticism.

"She (Lushina) has a nice arm," Malley said. "She has good ball control.

"Makayla has the second-best arm on the team and Kristalei is the most balanced outside hitter."

At setter, the three players have various strengths, according to Malley.

"Courtney runs the best offense," Malley said. "She played some varsity last year and that's where she has the advantage over Elizabeth (Bennet-Doran), who has the most experience at the position. She's been setting for a long time.

"Bailey is very athletic. I think she can be an impact player. Anytime you can get a god athlete on the court it's going to help you."

McAllister is recovering from knee surgery, and how much she is able to contribute remains to be seen. Micaele Vowinkel and Christa McGahuey also are expected to contribute heavily on the front line.

DAYTON

New coach Monica Halvorson has high hopes for her Dust Devil squad. She wants to reach the 3A state tournament.

To get there, Halvorson knows that Dayton will have to get by Truckee and Yerington. Truckee knocked off Dayton twice last year and the Dust Devils split with Yerington last year.

"Our ultimate goal is to make state this year," Halvorson said. "It would be a great goal to achieve for a first-year coach. I need to know the girls share the same vision as I do. I will push them hard during practice and make them develop the desire to do the best and hopefully be the best. I have a very different coaching philosophy than the previous coach, so we might have some obstacles early, but by the end we will appreciate each other's strength and weaknesses and find out what works for us.

"The five returning players are solid. They know fundamental skills that will help guide them to a successful season. They are willing to teach new players the ropes and lead by example on how to play and practice."

The top returnees are middle blocker Jamie Darragh, left-side hitter Kathie Arias, middle blocker Taylor Hill, libero Amanda Arana and setter MacKenzie Kielty.

The top newcomer is freshman Madison Foley, who is expected to get significant playing time immediately.

"She is a well-rounded player," Halvorson said. "She hits hard with a lot of accuracy. She has an awesome jump serve and a well-developed court sense. She will definitely bring our level of play up. She will play left side and back up at setter."

VIRGINIA CITY

Coach Dennis Young returns three seniors - setter Denali Ficus, outside hitter Taylor Parsons and middle blocker Jill Dupre - off a team that went 9-7 in league and finished in fourth place in the Northern 1A last season.

"We're going to be real young this year," Young said. "We lost a lot last year; four starters. It's going to be interesting. If we play together we can do well. That's one of the things we dealt with last year."

Young also is counting on right-side hitter Breanna Johnston, left-side hitter Taylor Ballinger, freshman middle blocker Jamie Poston, right-side hitter Riley Strahan and middle blocker-left-side hitter Corinna Obermtyr.