By Jack Walker
Staff Writer
Coach Jana Milner guided the 2009 Lady Panther volleyball team to a 32-10 record, the first playoff appearance in several years and a 5-5 mark in district play.
The question now is, what do you do for an encore.
Repeating the 2009 success will be difficult due to the heavy graduation losses, but we said that last year didn't we?
Emily Gentle, an all-district and all-texomaland performer will be playing her volleyball in 2010 for the Lady Mavericks at UT Arlington. Gone also will be first team, all-district players Lexie McMakin and Chandler Henson. Cami Hebert, one of the most spirited leaders of the Lady Panthers, has completed her high school career. She and Cassie Deaver were second team picks for the all-district team.
Returning players with varsity experience will be Sam Hutchison, Abby Smith, Madeline Carroll and Mackenzie Allen.
Van Alstyne moves into a five-team district next season and will compete against Anna, Bonham, Celina and Commerce.
Commerce will be the defending champion from district 10 last season. The Lady Tigers beat Kennedale in the bi-district round before losing to Argyle in the regional semifinals. Bonham will be in its second season under a new coach and they had some impressive numbers on the JV team.
The Lady Panthers beat Anna in both district matches last season and had little trouble in accomplishing that feat.
Celina is the big unknown as far as the district goes. The Lady Bobcats played in arguably the toughest volleyball district in North Texas last season with Prosper, Sanger and Argyle in the mix. Celina didn't crack the top three among that group.
It will be a rebuilding year for the Lady Panthers in 2010 and they will need help from last year's JV players to have a successful season. Although another 30-win season in not likely, I would not be counting them out.