BLANCHARDVILLE — Second-year Pecatonica head coach Liz McGowan is ready to watch her volleyball blossom this fall.

The Vikings went just 5-7 in conference play a year ago, but finished 15-9 overall. They graduated just three seniors and return a slew of starters and top rotational players. Val Carr was honorable mention, but has since graduated alongside Jenna Owens and Maggie Chrostowski.

Returning for Pecatonica are junior setter/hitter Tessa Green, who was a first-team all-conference selection a season ago, and senior setter/hitter Sydney Eaton, a second-team pick. Both players alternate setting and hitting duties, which forces opponents to adjust on every volley.

Also returning for the Viking are seniors Lexi McSherry and Lily Busser; juniors Lexi Peterson, Niveah Gross and Gracie Gordon and sophomore Chloe Schraepfer.

“I’m really excited about the number of girls we have returning for our program this year. I think that we have a solid group of female athletes who put in the work and showed a lot of growth as a result last year,” McGowan said. “With our upcoming season already being delayed a month, I hope that with a similar lineup returning we will be able to quickly replicate our team chemistry and routines from last year.”

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and WIAA-mandated month-long delay to begin practices, teams around the state will be limited in their competitive opportunities this fall. The Six Rivers East will be playing a league-only regular season schedule, and the Vikings open the season Sept. 15 with Monticello, which finished second a year ago.

“Not competing in tournaments and nonconference games will be a huge loss for many teams, but this group of girls especially,” McGowan said. “As coaches, we worked on building confidence in the girls individually and as a team. We saw them loosen up and play some of their best ball throughout day-long tournaments and scrimmages last year.”

McGowan expects two-time defending champion Black Hawk to compete for another conference title, as well as Monticello and Argyle, each with young stars that finished in the top half of the standings in 2019. 

“I think that a number of teams in the Six Rivers East have the personnel to be top competitors. For us, every game will be a big game, but I know that we will have to take some extra time to prepare for teams like Black Hawk, Monticello and Argyle,” McGowan said. 

Where Pecatonica fits in is anyone’s guess. McGowan is just making sure her team gets to see the court.

“My goal is for the girls to be able to get back in the gym and do what they love in a safe and productive manner,” McGowan said.