NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT — Seniors Cailey Brown, Macy Welsh and Janette Cervantes are ready to lead South Tama this year on the volleyball court.

The 2024 South Tama girls volleyball team is ready for a new season and excitement is running high. Entering her sixth campaign as head coach, Sam Cantonwine likes what she has seen from her team.

“We have the chance to be a very good team this year,” Cantonwine said. “The girls have been a fun and coachable group. And they have shown a lot of effort and hustle.”

The hard work of preparing for the season started throughout this summer. Four days a week the team would gather for a mixture of weight-lifting, scrimmages, and open gyms. The buy-in to the volleyball program at South Tama was obvious. Cantonwine noted that they averaged around twenty-five girls each day.

As official practices began, Cantonwine saw a fresh atmosphere of excitement as they began preparing for the season. This is in large part to a combination of a strong senior class and eager newcomers.

“We’ve had outstanding senior leadership,” the coach said. “They are changing the culture in practice and other coaches that we have scrimmaged have commented on the fun that our girls have together.”

The team’s eight seniors are led by Macy Welsh, Cailey Brown, and Janette Cervantes. Cantonwine noted the value that each girl is bringing to the team.

“Macy Welsh (right side/opposite hitter) has been on the varsity team since her freshman year. She’s played various positions and she’s a great vocal leader,” she said. “Clailey Brown (middle blocker/libero) is taking on a greater role this year and has stepped up in a big way. And Janette Cervantes (outside hitter) is a quiet leader who leads by her example of hard work.”

The three girls, with their fellow seniors, seem ready to lead the team through a difficult WAMAC conference schedule.

“We’ve had better energy so far this year and our hustle is greater. We are confident when looking at our schedule. You can’t be scared of the WAMAC — there’s no other way to look at it,” Welsh said.

Brown added that the team is meshing well together, and Cervantes noted that she and her fellow seniors try to bring positive energy and a spirit of helping others to every practice.

The seniors have plenty of opportunity to invest in others, as the STC volleyball program boasts a promising class of newcomers.

“We have fifteen girls from the freshman class who have experienced a lot of success at the middle school level,” said Cantonwine. “We are very optimistic about this group and some will get Varsity experience this year. They are eager to learn.”

Adding to the group of newcomers are a few girls who are new to South Tama schools this year. Cantonwine noted that these girls will contribute in significant ways to the various levels of the program. Welsh captured the excitement about the younger class best.

“The program is in good hands,” she said.

The Trojans officially began their season on Aug. 29 at the AGWSR Triangular. Trojan fans have their first opportunity to see the girls in action at home on Thursday, Sept. 5 against Montezuma at the STC Roundhouse. The varsity match will begin at 7:30 p.m.

When asked about what Trojan fans can expect when coming to watch the team, Cantonwine says that they can expect to see very competitive games.

“I definitely believe we will be improved. Fans will see an excited, hardworking group of girls,” the coach said.

Welsh agreed.

“Fans can expect that we are going to put up a fight. We will bring the fire every night,” she said.