Plant

At a glance

Coach: Sarah Kirkwood Reiss

Class: 7A, District 7

Last season: 21-9, lost in state semifinals

Key players: OH Lily Frierson, Sr.; MH Reese Friar, Jr.; L/DS Sophia Kotsovolos, Jr.;  

Schedule

Aug. 24 d. Berkeley Prep 3-0

Sept. 3-4 at Nike Tournament of Champions (Orlando)

Sept. 9 vs. Calvary Christian, 6:30

Sept. 17-18 at Berkeley Premier Tournament

Sept. 21 vs. Berkeley Prep, 6:30

Sept. 24-25 at Academy of the Holy Names Tournament

Sept. 30 vs. Leto, 7:30

Oct. 6 vs. Sickles, 7:30

Oct. 12 at Steinbrenner, 7:30

Oct. 13 vs. Clearwater Central Catholic, 6:30

Oct. 14 at Robinson, 7:30

Outlook

The Panthers went through a coaching change in the offseason. Vanja Todorovic, who led the program to the state semifinals each of the past three seasons, stepped down. Sarah Kirkwood Reiss, who starred at Plant before going on to play at Virginia, returned to her alma mater as coach, replacing Todorovic. Kirkwood Reiss has plenty of coaching experience at the collegiate level, including stops as an assistant at Virginia and New York University. She inherits a Plant squad that has loft expectations — and a loaded roster that can meet those goals. Among those returning are Lily Frierson (200 kills, 195 digs last season), Reese Friar (198 kills, 57 blocks) and Sophia Kotsovolos (374 digs). There are other solid contributors, too, such as Bella Lee (203 digs, 35 service aces). The Panthers got off to a solid start this season, sweeping Berkeley Prep in their opener.