The girls share her high expectations. “We are confident in winning championships this season and going undefeated,” senior outside hitter Karrie Liu said.

After losing five graduating seniors, the team gained new assets this year. “The team is definitely different,” Vrana said. “From 12 girls last year, we now have 15 with seven of them being seniors. This adds a lot of depth to the game. With six girls on the court and nine other girls on the bench, there’s a lot of talent to choose from and it gives a lot of flexibility. I feel relaxed because even though the makeup and the personality of the team is different, everyone will make an impact whether from the intensity of the practices or in the game.”

Vrana believes some of the new faces to the team will especially make impacts. Take sophomore right-side hitter Nicole Lee, for instance. Although she is only a rookie on the varsity team, she is expected to do great things. “She has a lot of potential,” Liu said. An opposite hitter needs to be strong and tall to set and block. Lee definitely fits the mold. “She has a lot of volleyball experience,” Vrana said. “She’ll contribute greatly to the team and will be able to put the ball away despite her young age.”

Another new face to the Cardinal lineup is sophomore libero, Jessica “Chitty” Peng. The defensive backbone of the team, the libero must be quick on her feet and have a fast reaction. With Peng in the back row, digging and stopping balls going 20 miles per hour, the Cardinals should be able to hold up the defensive line. “She plays with an aggressive attitude despite only being a sophomore,” Vrana said. Peng is an essential part of the team.

While one of the team’s strengths this year is defense, according to senior setter Taryn Wong, they still have things to improve on. “Overall we need to work on acting as a team because of the transition from JV to varsity for the new members,” she said.

Liu agreed. “We’ve had little practice and we need to work on communication,” she said. “We need to start the game with a lot of energy and keep it going.”

Even with a strong team, it’s going to be a tough fight this year. “Our biggest competition this year would probably be Lincoln,” Wong said. “Lincoln’s defense is pretty good, and they have a strong middle hitter.” The Lincoln game on Nov. 1 will surely be a deciding match for the Cardinals.

The Cardinals will start to defend their title in their first game against Burton at 5:10 p.m. on Sept. 26 at Lowell.