Mancos volleyball team looks to build upon last season

Mancos volleyball coach Brittany Lang is excited for the 2015 season.

Although the Blue Jays lost five players to graduation, they return six. Seniors Jessica Gutierrez, Taryn Gordanier, Hannah Wallace and Anna Cox are back, along with juniors Nicole Hess and Taylor Power-Bahr.

Hess, Gutierrez and Gordanier all have previous varsity experience, and Lang expects Wallace to surprise people as she transitions to the varsity team.

Lang and assistant coach Emily Pearson will have 10 to 11 girls on the team, and each will have specific responsibilities.

"My vision is for us to be like a well-oiled machine," said Lang. "Every person has a part, and every person depends on another person's part."

As a three-year starter, Gutierrez has established her spot at setter. But Lang and Pearson are still working other member around to determine the best positions for each player.

After qualifying for regionals last year for the first time since 2011, the Blue Jays are looking to build off recent success.

The Blue Jays began practice on Monday, August 17 and their first scrimmage is scheduled at Ridgway on Saturday, Aug. 22.