ARGYLE – The Orioles are a young team on the rise in the Six Rivers – which says a lot considering the program celebrated back-to-back conference titles in 2016 and 2017.

The talent from those squads – plus the runner-up team in 2018 – have virtually all graduated. Last year, Argyle finished third in the conference standings at 8-4, but graduated just one starter – honorable mention hitter Claudia Miller.

“We have a good core group of returning players,” said coach Jen Green. “We have a young team, but they are determined.”

Returning starters include four juniors that will be the backbone of the team – Maggie Godfrey, Grace Ganshert, Megan Johnson and Tori Lantz. Godfrey was a first-team all-conference hitter, smacking 221 kills and 62 aces on the year to go along with 49 blocks and 244 digs. Ganshert was a second-team all-conference hitter, amassing 186 kills, 204 digs and 30 aces. Johnson and Lantz earned honorable mention all-conference accolades. Johnson is the team’s setter and had 540 assists, 45 aces and 137 digs last year as a sophomore. Lantz had 135 kills, 36 aces, 188 digs and 42 blocks up front.

Juniors Breann Flannery, Jenna Allison and sophomore Hannah Gierhart are expected to fill varsity roster spots this fall as well, with sophomores Kyleah Mick, Karlie Lincoln and Laney Starr also vying for court time.

“We have a good group of tough servers. I’d like to see us play with consistency and have good ball control,” said Green, adding that she’s hoping to quickly find a lineup that works best for the roster.

While the Orioles expect to finish in the top half of the conference, they know it will take a couple of A-effort matches against defending champion Black Hawk and runner-up Monticello to try to grab the league title again.

“I think everyone has some good players returning,” Green said. “I expect Black Hawk and Monticello to be at the top – they have some strong hitters returning. Pecatonica also has a good core group returning.”