High expectations won't go lower for Amarillo High volleyball in 2023

It's déjà vu for the Amarillo High volleyball team. Entering last year, they were faced with the task of replacing five seniors, four of which went on to play at the next level and a fifth which was a student coach.

This year, they'll have to replace a Division I player in Jo Moffitt, a member of the 2022 Amarillo Globe-News Super team in Ella Krusa, and their starting libero in Kaylie Ledbetter. Last year's team went 33-10, undefeated in district (again) and advanced to the regional semifinals where they lost to Lubbock-Cooper.

Moral of the story? Never count out the Lady Sandies.

“The vibe has been pretty good (in camp)," head coach Mike Moffitt said. "All the returners and newcomers have been here rooting for one another and cheering each other on but also challenging each other. A lot of good defense, new people stepping up into new roles and all that. Early spring through now has felt like a lot of progress."

Guess who's back?

While last year's team had plenty to replace, it also had plenty of returning power. This year's team will be the same way, led by Amarillo Globe-News Newcomer of the Year Sienna Cavalier at outside hitter. The junior had the monumental task of replacing the 2021 AGN Player of the Year in Currie Marusak (now at Texas Tech) and handled it with ease, compiling 348 kills and 319 digs.

She won't be alone either. Senior Ryan Pennington will be back on the right side after putting up 251 kills, 37 aces, 61 blocks and 232 digs. Clarie Fansler returns at outside hitter after putting up a .397 hitting percentage, 90 blocks and 188 kills while junior Bird Moffitt, Jo's sister and Mike's other daughter, will hold down the fort at libero. Bird put up 191 digs, 28 aces and a 2.24 passer rating last year. All three of those players were All-District.

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"Sienna should definitely be one of our key players again this year," coach Moffitt said. "She'll most likely be one of our kill leaders and she's an excellent defender. She'll be on the court and never come off. Ryan Pennington was second for us in kills and has looked even better. She'll have another great season. Bird Moffitt and Ellen Head have just been outstanding in the back row. The defense is looking really good again right now."

New girl

The Lady Sandies will still have major shoes to fill, particularly at setter. Jo Moffitt was the AGN Preseason Player of the Year last season and is now playing in the Southland Conference for Lamar University. For now, the plan is to fill that hole with a committee approach.

Blair Pennington played outside hitter to start last year, but after injuries moved over to setter where she learned behind Jo. Bennett Rea is a highly talented sophomore who was on the varsity squad as a freshman last year and should also get an opportunity. Mike Moffitt added that Payton Cash will factor into the rotation as well, giving AHS plenty of options.

"We'll have to make up for Jo's loss with defense and attacking," Mike Moffitt said. "You're not just going to replace her on the setting side."

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Still cookin'

There's a lot of promise for District 3-5A this year. Tascosa entered last season with one returning starter but returns almost the whole team from last year's solid squad. Caprock snapped a playoff drought that stretched back decades and Palo Duro made the postseason as well. All of that would frighten most teams.

Amarillo High is not most teams. They've won three consecutive 3-5A titles, all undefeated. AHS has won 31 district contests in a row. It's no guarantee that last streak will continue, but the odds are in their favor in regards to a district title.

As for the Lady Sandies' quest for an 11th state title in volleyball and first since 2016, that will largely depend on how the new pieces come together and how the rest of the region and state come together. Still, it's looking like another successful year is in the cards for AHS.

"I'm excited to see our defense come together," coach Moffitt said. "Last year we fully committed on defense and I think we'll do that again this year. We'll be better at blocking this year than last. I think the back row defense is going to be just as good so I think we can be really special on defense. We just don't want to settle. Whatever is the very best that we can do and the very best we can play, we just don't want to settle for less than that."

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This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo High School Lady Sandies volleyball ready for 2023 season