By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
SAVANNNAH - The Savannah volleyball team is under new leadership this season, as Taylor Grubb takes over as head coach.
Grubb, a former college volleyball player at MidAmerica Nazarene University, was a volunteer assistant last year when the Savages went 22-11-2 and were district runners-up to Smithville.
Savannah returns six players with starting varsity experience, while also having six seniors on roster.
Grubb says this group of returning talent has made her job easier in the early days of practice.
"I mean, that helps with me being a first-time head coach," Grubb said. "Having so many returning players. Really great, talented players. So, I think it's going to be a really good team this year."
One leader back from last year is senior and outside hitter Sailor Bodenhausen. She had 97 kills to go with 13 blocks and 51 digs.
Bodenhausen says this senior class is determined to improve off of last year and make a deep postseason run.
"We all worked extremely hard in the summer," Bodenhausen said. "We put countless hours in during the summer and right now. Yeah, so I think we're really trying to after it this year."
Savannah was likely at its best toward the end of last season, winning seven of its last nine matches and reaching the district title match.
Junior outside hitter Rhyan Shrick, a returning starter who had 166 kills last season, says the hard work has continued ever since last season ended.
"We put in a lot of hours in the weight room as well," she said. "I think most of us take a weights class. We all work hard in the summer and the school year and we're all very close and have very good bonds. So, that always helps us."
Savannah has won 20 or more matches in two of the last three seasons and they seek their first district title since 2015.
Savannah opens the season at St. Joseph Christian on September 1.
"I'm excited now to get into the season and take these next two weeks for our girls to get ready for our first game," Grubb said.
Sophomore Trinity Fansher is expected to play a key role as a middle blocker after filling in for injured players last year. Another sophomore, Sara Younkin, is another that's impressed so far in practice.
"We're really just trying to finish strong this year," Bodenhausen said. "I know all of the seniors want to go out district champs."
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