Weeki Wachee

At a glance

Coach: Noemi Rivera

Class: 4A, District 5

Last season: 17-1, lost in region final

Key players: RS/OH Grace Colleran, Sr.; L Victoria Gray, Sr.; OH/MH/RS Danielle McGee, Sr.; OH/MH/RS Kristen Pizzano, Sr.; 

Schedule

Aug. 24 at Lecanto, 7:30

Aug. 25 vs. Nature Coast, 6:30

Aug. 31 at Zephyrhills, 7:30

Sept. 2 vs. Hernando, 6:30

Sept. 7 vs. Citrus, 6:30

Sept. 9 at Central, 6:30

Sept. 13 vs. Springstead, 6:30

Sept. 14 at Crystal River, 7:30

Sept. 16 at Hernando, 7

Sept. 21 at Nature Coast, 6:30

Sept. 28 vs. Crystal River, 6:30

Sept. 30 vs. Lecanto, 6:30

Oct. 7 at Citrus, 7:30

Oct. 12 vs. Central, 6:30

Oct. 14 vs. Hudson, 6:30

Outlook

The Hornets had their perfect season end with a loss to Academy of the Holy Names in last season’s region final. Weeki Wachee stayed in 4A when the classifications and districts were released in the offseason. But there were plenty of other changes for the Hornets. Noemi Rivera, who previously coached at Springstead, took over the program. She replaced Kelly Werkmeister, who stepped away after last season. The two biggest losses on the roster were Alexandra Valtsiotis (126 kills) and Nicla Gentile (700 assists, 133 digs), both of whom graduated. Still, there is a solid nucleus back. The leaders are a quartet of seniors — Kristen Pizzano (257 kills, 196 digs last season), Grace Colleran (171 kills, 110 digs), Victoria Gray (372 digs) and Danielle McGee (141 kills, 26 blocks).