LAKEPORT >> Finishing an even 7-7 and fourth in the North Central League I standings a year ago earned the Clear Lake Cardinals a short-lived trip to the North Coast Section playoffs, which ended with a first-round loss.
Veteran coach Marci Psalmonds’ squad returns this season with much of last year’s roster intact minus two significant contributors who earn All-League recognition — first-team middle hitter Aliza Atkins and honorable mention opposite hitter Logan Robinson.
Given those losses to graduation, can the Cardinals improve on last year’s showing? Psalmonds believes they can.
“The chemistry is good,” Psalmonds said. “They all get along, which is huge in this day and era.”
Five out of six returning players, including starters Emily Psalmonds (All-League second-team setter last season) and outside hitters Rachel Wingler and Terra Morin, are seniors. The other seniors are libero candidates Alicia Ledesma and Eloisa Morfin. The only non-senior returning starter is junior middle hitter Jasmine Rice.
New to the varsity squad is junior middle hitter Maddie West, junior middle hitter/right-side hitter Courtney Hiatt, and junior middle hitter Maggie Irvine.
“I think we’ll be successful simply because of our cohesiveness,” Psalmonds said. “I have five seniors who have been together the whole time.”
Something else Psalmonds likes about her squad is its lack of a true weakness in any one area on offense or defense.
“They can do everything pretty well, we’re just not flashy,” Psalmonds said.
Kiana Richardson, a freshman middle hitter who played for the Cardinals a year ago, has returned to the junior varsity squad, one that was loaded with talent to begin with and now even more so.
“It’s a real good JV group,” Psalmonds said. “I’m excited for both squads this year.”
If the Cardinals are going to contend with the likes of St. Helena for a league title, look for senior Wingler to have a breakout season, according to Psalmonds.
“This could be her year,” Psalmonds said. “She really came on strong at the end of her junior year.”
