Volleyball preview: No. 18 Mitchell

Mitchell

At a glance

Coach: Lea Weber

Class: 6A, District 5

Last season: 12-4

Key players: S Bella Baldyga, Sr.; S/RS Ava Connors, Jr.; DS Maddie Foster, Jr.; OH Cayla Heckroth, Sr.; MB Kinnah Kreidler, Jr.; DS Avery Lewis, Jr.; MB/OH Elizabeth McDonald, Sr.; 

Schedule

Aug. 26 at Riverview, 7

Aug. 28 vs. Tampa Catholic (tournament), 9:30 a.m.

Aug. 28 vs. Robinson (tournament), 11 a.m.

Aug. 28 vs. Land O’ Lakes (tournament), 2

Aug. 28 vs. Brooks DeBartolo, 3:30

Sept. 1 vs. Wiregrass Ranch, 7:30

Sept. 2 vs. Pinellas Park, 7

Sept. 7 vs. Zephyrhills, 7:30

Sept. 9 vs. Sunlake, 7

Sept. 14 at Hudson, 7

Sept. 16 at Palm Harbor University, 7

Sept. 21 vs. Fivay, 7

Sept. 24-25 tournament

Sept. 29 vs. Anclote, 7

Sept. 30 vs. Nature Coast, 7

Oct. 5 at River Ridge, 7:30

Oct. 7 vs. Hudson, 7

Oct. 12 vs. Hernando, 7

Oct. 14 vs. Palm Harbor University, 7

Outlook

The Mustangs had a strong showing last season, finishing 12-4. Unfortunately, three of those four losses came against district opponents, the last coming in the semifinals of the Class 6A, District 7 tournament. Mitchell still is in the same classification but was placed in a district that includes Land O’ Lakes, Leto, Gaither and Sunlake, among others. The good news is that nearly every major contributor from last season is back. Elizabeth McDonald, a 6-foot-2 outside hitter who had 191 kills and 29 blocks in 2020, should once again be dominant at the net. And Bella Baldyga (258 assists, 103 digs) can be counted on for her defense and ability to run the offense.