Volleyball preview: No. 5 Calvary Christian

Calvary Christian

At a glance

Coach: Kim Whitney

Class: 3A, District 6

Last season: 18-9

Key players: OH/DS Lauren Cairo, Jr.; OPP/DS Kendall McCain, Sr.; S Taylor Parks, So.; OH Noelle Walsh, Sr.

Schedule

Tues. at Osceola, 6:30

Thurs. vs. Tampa Catholic, 6:30 

Sat. vs. Gainesville The Rock, 9 a.m.

Sat. vs. Orlando The First Academy, 11 a.m.

Aug. 31 at Berkeley Prep, 6:30

Sept. 2 vs. East Lake, 6:30

Sept. 7 at St. Petersburg Catholic, 6

Sept. 9 at Plant, 6:30

Sept. 14 vs. Academy of the Holy Names, 6:30

Sept. 17-18 at tournament

Sept. 21 at Sarasota Cardinal Mooney, 6:30

Sept. 24 vs. St. Petersburg (tournament), 3

Sept. 25 vs. East Lake (tournament), 10 a.m.

Sept. 25 vs. Osceola (tournament) 11 a.m.

Sept. 28 vs. Tampa Bay HEAT, 6:30

Oct. 5 at Bishop McLaughlin, 5

Oct. 7 vs. Clearwater Central Catholic, 6:30

Oct. 14 vs. Carrollwood Day, 6:30

Oct. 15 vs. Countryside, 6:30

Outlook

The Warriors were young last season. After all, there were only two contributing seniors who graduated. Despite the inexperience, Calvary Christian had a solid season, finishing 18-9. The payoff of playing so many underclassmen should happen this season. The top two leaders in kills — Noelle Walsh (278) and Lauren Cairo (252) — both return. So does Taylor Parks, who was among the state’s leaders in assists last season with 735. Ava Bonin moves into a prominent role as a libero and Morgen Talley, the Class 2A state player of the year in softball who transferred from Canterbury, will be inserted into the lineup as a starting middle hitter. The district (Class 3A-6) is nearly the same as last year with Clearwater Central Catholic, Shorecrest and Northside Christian being the biggest challengers.