“Bainbridge High School volleyball coach Julie Miller leads her team into the new season with one certainty and two uncertainties. The varsity is definitely better than last year, she said. They’re the strongest group of hitters I’ve ever had, and everyone can play multiple positions. The core group played club ball, which is a higher level than high school, and you can really tell the difference.At all levels, this is the best group I’ve ever had. The freshmen look really good.The uncertainties revolve around the team’s first year of play in the Metro League, as well as the as-yet-unsettled question of allocation of district teams to the state meet, which is Nov. 9-10 in Lacey.Miller, a former collegiate player at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee now in her fourth year as varsity coach, welcomes the league change.I think it’s fine, she said. We’re ready for a change, to play different people. But I don’t know anything about them.Based on previous reputations, she sees Blanchet, Eastside Catholic and Seattle Prep as perhaps the most formidable league foes in the upcoming season, though all three are in the opposite division of the Metro League.Bainbridge’s own division includes Cleveland, Ingraham, Rainier Beach, Nathan Hale and West Seattle. Finishing first among these six schools would insure that the Spartans advance to the Metro League tournament, which is the first step toward state. Otherwise, we’d have to play into the tournament, Miller noted.The top teams from the Metro tournament then play their counterparts in the Kingco League in the district tournament for the chance to go to State.Miller welcomes seven returning players from last year’s team, which came within a match of advancing to State: seniors Sarah Frazee, Courtney Kimball and Caiti Kruse, and juniors Kristina Purdom, Carlie Miller, Sarah Cook and Laura Bartunek.Junior Maggie Fick and sophomores Alice Russell and Alison Theis move up from JV, while Michelle Miller is a freshman.She ran down the 11-girl roster.Sarah Frazee: This is her fourth year with me, Miller said. She’s our number one hitter overall, a steady, consistent player. She’s good at both the back row and front row, and is our best server. Frazee also played for the prestigious Washington Volleyball Academy club team.Courtney Kimball: She looks real strong this year, said Miller. She usually plays opposite, but is capable of playing anywhere.Caiti Kruse: She’ll be back from an injury in mid-September, and we won’t push her too fast. She’ll get a lot of playing time in the back row, because she’s a good passer and digger.Laura Bartunek: She’s our number one middle, Miller says of another member of the Washington Volleyball Academy team. She’ll also play left back.Sarah Cook: Coming back from knee surgery, Cook has played with the Kitsap Juniors club team. She’s a good opposite (right side hitter), Miller said.Maggie Fick: She’s a setter who hasn’t played at this quicker level, Miller said. She’s learning how to catch up to our hitters.Carlie Miller: She’s our number one setter, Miller said succinctly and definitively.Kristina Purdom: Another Washington Volleyball Academy product. She’s a lot stronger than last year, Miller said of the outside hitter.Alison Theis: She’s a back row specialist, Miller noted. She’s fast and will play some outside hitter. Theis has club experience with the Kitsap Juniors.Alice Russell: Last year’s freshman basketball sensation plays opposite and right side hitter. She’s a good front row player, said Miller.Michelle Miller: She hits harder than anyone in the gym, said the coach of her daughter. A middle hitter who’s also played with the Washington Volley Academy, Miller is learning to be a smart player. The team opens the season on the first day of school, Wed., Sept. 5 with a home match against Eastside Catholic in the high school gym. The junior varsity plays at 4:45, while the varsity goes at 6:00. Following a weekend tournament at Ballard, the team hosts Blanchet on Monday, Sept. 10.The junior varsity, coached by Shaine Schramling, is headed by three juniors: Jane Brinkley, Anna Schuler and Kara Somsen. Sophomores are Ashley Anderson, Colie Belieu, Tiana Gallagher, Jennifer Jones, Danielle Orrey, Carrie Parsons, Britt Thomas and Haley Wiggins. Ashley Bice made the team as a freshman.The all-freshman C team, coached by Susanna Pine, includes Michelle Baggett, Sarah Braun, Amy Gulbranson, Annie Hillier, Megan Mendell, Samantha Nelson, Christen Toepel, Alex Winicki, Hillary Watson and Alex Whedbee. “