ARGYLE — The Orioles are under new management this fall. Longtime and well-traveled coach Connie Wunschel takes over the program from Jennifer Green this fall. Wunschel has held various coaching positions for more than 25 years, and spent five years (2014-18) as the junior varsity coach at Argyle.

Fortunately for Wunschel, she takes over a team that had zero seniors last fall. In fact, the Orioles return five all-conference players from their starting lineup. 

Maggie Godfrey, now a senior, was a first-team all-conference selection in both 2019 and 2020, and was honorable mention as a freshman in 2018. Fellow senior Grace Ganshert was a second-team pick in 2019 and 2020, and honorable mention in 2018. Fellow classmates Breann Flannery and Megan Johnson were honorable mention picks in 2020, with Johnson nabbing the same honor as a sophomore in 2020.

Also, back for Argyle includes senior Tori Lantz at middle hitter, an honorable mention all-conference pick as a sophomore in 2019. Juniors Kylie Mick and Hannah Gierhart return as hitters on the outside. 

Godfrey, Ganshert and Lantz command attention at the net in the starting lineup, while Johnson is a versatile setter. Flannery spent 2020 primarily in the libero position and is an asset on the back line.

In the offseason, the players went on to win their summer league, which bodes well for the team this fall.

Wunschel said her goals are simple: To finish better than last year. 

How to do that? Rely on court experience and team chemistry, said Wunschel.

“The seniors have been playing together since at least sixth grade. They have a great skill set and have played varsity all their high school years,” she said.

In order to contend for the Six Rivers East title, Wunschel knows her team has to shore up some weaknesses.

“Communication, staying positive, staying healthy and available all season,” Wunschel said, and “learning some new tweaks to our defense and offense.”

Given how the teams finished last season and who is returning, Wunschel is optimistic that her team can contend for a league crown — with Monticello as the other top team to watch.