Mount Baker volleyball looking for new hitters to step up in 2015

Coach: Paige Huttula

Last year: Under first-year coach Paige Huttula, went 4-12 overall and 4-8 in the Northwest Conference (ninth). ... Qualified for the Class 1A District Tournament but fell to South Whidbey and King’s in back-to-back straight-set losses.

Players to watch: Natalie Verry (OH, Jr.), Tanya Kashubin (OH, Jr.), Sara Verry (L, Sr.)

Outlook: Second-year coach Paige Huttula knew she’d be losing a couple seniors from last year’s squad, most notably Emily Yost and Maddy Tanis, but she didn’t realize Emily Brandland and Emily Baddeley would also join that group. Brandland opted to go out for the girls’ soccer team this season while Baddeley moved to Oregon. The loss of all but one of the hitters from last season leaves the attack in shambles for the Mountaineersthis season. Junior outside Tanya Kashubin and Natalie Verry are the returning hitters , while lone senior captain Sara Verry will man the defense as libero. “She’s going to be a huge key for us,” Huttula said in a phone interview. “I think we’re going to have a solid back row, but we’re pretty young the rest of the way around.” Still, the Mountaineers are going to play scrappy; “We’re a bunch of fighters,” Huttula said. “We’re small in number and stature, but I think we have kids who really want to be here and give it their all. In that way, we’re not discouraged. It’ll be an interesting challenge, but I think we can rise to the occasion.”

This story was originally published September 8, 2015 at 12:57 PM with the headline "Mount Baker volleyball looking for new hitters to step up in 2015."