But the Spartans will face a much improved Metro League.

It’ll be a much different team that takes the floor for the Bainbridge volleyball team for the 2008 season.

With the majority of a talented group that helped the team to two state trophies in three years gone, the thought is that the Spartans are on a downward swing.

But head coach Julie Miller feels otherwise.

“The tryouts were pretty intense,” she said. “It was very competitive. The girls aren’t just being” lackadaisical.

“They’re way more focused than they were last year at this point.”

Last season, Bainbridge went 11-7 and made it to the district tournament, but lost in the opening round, breaking its streak of five straight appearances at the state tournament.

Both Miller and senior co-captain Dominique Atherley admitted the team underachieved last year.

“That part was frustrating,” Miller said.

“At the end of the year I think we all got stressed out about going to state,” Atherley said. “I think we didn’t put it into perspective, (thinking) one game at a time versus ‘we have to get to that one big goal.’

“I think we did (take things for granted) a little bit.”

This season, six seniors were lost to graduation, most notably its two-time All-Metro first team middle blocker in Kelcey Dunaway and veteran talent in Hillary Grant, Becky Gottlieb and Daron Vandelur.

Those returning with varsity experience are Atherley, an outside hitter and two seniors, middle hitter Janna Russell and outside hitter Emily Donahue, also co-captains.

All three made solid contributions last year and Miller expects the same this year.

“The leadership of the captains so far has been great,” she said. “They are really setting an example with their work ethic and really doing a good job. They make sure everybody is on the same page, that no matter what age, they’re all one unit.”

Also returning are two seniors, setter Heather Schneider and middle hitter Olivia Luke along with junior setter Camille Moore.

Several newcomers to the team include senior Chelsie Kakela, a fastpitch standout who will play as a defensive specialist.

Also on the team are senior defensive specialist Megan Braun, junior outside hitter Annique Rice, junior outside hitter Joanna Shea, junior outside hitter Brigette Blacker, junior outside hitter Kelley McConaughy and sophomore middle hitter Amy Fowler.

Atherley thinks highly of Braun’s passing ability and feels Blacker can contribute at the net and the back row.

Despite a lack of a star player, Miller won’t worry about it too much.

“Sometimes that can work in your favor,” she said. “You can spread the offense out a bit better and the attention isn’t drawn to just one person.”

Atherley said they’ve improved tenfold in the communication department – on and off-court.

“Even if we’re not all major stars, we’ll all be able to work together really well,” she said. “We’ve (the captains) just made sure they (the new girls) all feel really welcome and they can talk to us or Julie about anything. We want to make a really welcoming environment for the team.”

The improved communication skills will come in handy for a team that doesn’t have much varsity playing time and didn’t play club ball in Seattle over the offseason.

Miller said the girls are eager to improve.

“They’re willing to learn and ask questions and grow,” she said.

If the Spartans are to make it back to state, they’ll have to go through a much improved Metro League.

While Bishop Blanchet lost several seniors to graduation, Holy Names and Eastside Catholic have emerged as the class of the league. Lakeside has also improved as well.

Atherley said they’re still aiming high this season, but she knows they’ll have to take it one game at a time – albeit with a better outlook.

“We want to be positive with each other all the time,” she said. “(We want to be) always talking, always getting better.

“We can have some losses at the beginning of the season, but as long as we correct (our mistakes) we’ll be OK.”

Miller said the team is eager to be like the 2008 Olympic basketball team and ‘redeem’ themselves this season.

“They want to be the ones to bring us back (to prominence),” she said. “They have their work cut out for them… but it is a goal they’ve set” to make it to state and possibly earn a trophy.

Bainbridge opens its season Sept. 8 at Olympic. They’ll host South Kitsap Sept. 9.

2008 volleyball

● A much younger and inexperienced team must navigate through a much tougher Metro League in order to have a chance to make a trip to state.

Monday, Sept. 8 – at Olympic, 6:15 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 9 – vs. South Kitsap, 6 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 13 – at Puget Sound Volleyball Adidas Tournament at Auburn Mountainview HS, noon

Monday, Sept. 15 – at Tahoma, 7:15 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 17 – at Chief Sealth, 6 p.m.

Monday, Sept. 22 – vs. Holy Names, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 24 – at Seattle Prep, 6 p.m.

Monday, Sept. 29 – at Bishop Blanchet, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 1 – vs. Lakeside, 6 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 6 – at Eastside Catholic, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 8 – at Holy Names, 6 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 13 – vs. Seattle Prep, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 15 – vs. Eastside Catholic, 6 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 20 – vs. Bishop Blanchet, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 22 – at Lakeside, 6 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 25 – at Monroe Tournament at Monroe HS, noon

Tuesday, Oct. 28 – Saturday, Nov. 1 – Metro Tournament, site and times TBA

Thursday, Nov. 6 – Saturday, Nov. 8 – 3A Sea-King District 2 tournament, site and times TBA

Thursday, Nov. 20 – Friday, Nov. 21 – 3A state tournament, Toyota Center, Kennewick, times TBA