With everyone back except last year’s graduate Mikayla Cieszeski, the 16-9 OVAC and Sectional Volleyball Champion Lady Pilots are eager to get started with new Head Coach Judi Curtis. With last year’s OVAC Coach of the Year Jim Turner recovering from a hip replacement, Curtis is up to the challenge.

With only one player to replace from last year’s starting lineup, Curtis will look at quite a few faces to choose from. However, with the return of OVAC Class-AA Player of the Year Jensen Caretti back at the net and Mackenzie Marshall (the team’s coach on the court) the Lady Pilots look to move it up a notch since moving on to Class-AAA this season.

With Marshall, Monica Curtis, Amanda Bennett, and Mackenzie Wade each returning to their starting spots, Curtis will look to sophomore lettermen Brissa Marshall and Bailey Caldwell to fill that spot. However, the Lady Pilots can and will use junior lettermen Tiffany Connors and Haylee Winkler, who bring a vast amount of experience to the game as well.

“Once we get it all together and get into the swing of things, we hope to go farther than we did last season,” said Curtis.

The rest of the Lady Pilot squad are Kyra Stewart, Madison Harman, Kristen Yost, Brittany Harden, Karigan Pfalzgraf, Denise Heath, Lexi Piatt, and Maggie Persinger. Helping Curtis with the coaching duties are Theresa Piatt and manager Kylie Piatt.

The Lady Pilots didn’t fare well in their opener Monday at Bellaire, losing in five sets, 13-25, 25-15, 26-28, 25-19 and 15-8.

Caretti paced the Lady Pilots with eight points, six kills, and six digs, while Brissa Marshall added 17 digs and scored 10 points that included three service aces.

In addition, Amanda Bennett netted eight points, while Monica Curtis made 31 assists and scored six points. Mackenzie Marshall tacked on seven markers, made six assists, and six digs, while Mackenzie Wade provided 26 assists, scored 10 points and made six digs.

2014-15 River Pilot

Volleyball Schedule

Aug. 25Bellaire

Aug. 26Beallsville

Aug. 28Linsly

Sept. 2Monroe Central

Sept. 4Wheeling Central

Sept. 6Shenandoah (11 a.m.)

Sept. 8Linsly

Sept. 11Magnolia

Sept. 13Con.Valley (11 a.m.)

Sept. 15Brooke/Steub. Central

Sept. 16Valley

Sept. 18Monroe Central

Sept. 22Wheeling Central

Sept. 23Beallsville

Sept. 29Paden City/Cameron

Sept. 30Valley

Oct. 2Magnolia

Oct. 9Paden City

(Until further notice, all matches will be played away until work on the RHS gymnasium floor is finished.

All matches start at 6 p.m. unless noted).