ARGYLE — The Orioles entered 2021 with big hopes on the volleyball court, but a few midseason injuries and setbacks kept the program from big things. Hardest yet, one of the most decorated groups of seniors to walk the halls at Argyle High School graduated. 

First-year head coach Devra Leverington now must set her sights on building the program nearly from the ground up.

“The biggest challenge we face this season is not having very many returning varsity players. We are in a rebuilding year in the sense of players and coaches,” she said. “My expectations this upcoming season are to work hard, work together, and improve their skills. With this being my first year coaching, I want to build the program up and earn the trust of the players for us to have a successful season.”

She believes her team’s strengths will be in working together and being able to adapt to different playing styles “as most of them haven’t played together much,” she said. 

Entering the season, 16 girls will view for varsity court time: Kyleah Mick, Lyla Wagner, Adrionna Ubersox, Ava Wiegel, Samantha Kammes, Mya McNett, Lexi Wonders, Sadie Stiener, Alexis Rosentiel, Melanie Penniston, Anna Moore, Brinley Meinert, Brianna Gaertig, Hannah Gierhart, Ella Gierhart and Karlie Lincoln.

Leverington said that the first few weeks of practice will be evaluating talent and chemistry before splitting up the players between a varsity and junior varsity roster.