LAKEPORT — A young Clear Lake High School varsity volleyball team in 2018 is taking on a new batch of underclassmen as the 2019 season prepares to launch.
Sophomores Sydney Howe and Zoey Petrie take over the setter’s role from graduated Kylie Udy, the Cardinals’ All-League first-team selection last season, while freshman Cady Harmon moves into the libero slot where she replaces graduated All-Leaguer Madi Ferguson.
“I’m running a 6-2 (formation) since I have pretty good height up front,” Clear Lake head coach Marci Psalmonds said of the Cardinals’ two-setter look.
Clear Lake lost three players to graduation following a 8-6 league run and Division 5 playoff appearance last season. The Cardinals finished in the middle of the pack in the North Central League I standings with a 12-player roster dominated by underclassmen – six juniors and three sophomores.
All-League outside hitter Shaelyn McIntire, a senior, returns up front along with juniors Joy Ingalls, Emma Boatright and Daijanae Landers.
“They all came up last year as sophomores, so I’m hoping they take off this year,” Psalmonds said of Ingalls, Boatright and Landers.
Four-time defending league champion Kelseyville will be the favorite again this season, led by last year’s league co-MVP, senior Allison Bryant.
Clear Lake scrimmages Anderson Valley on Friday at 4 p.m. in preparation for its season opener next Wednesday at Upper Lake (5 p.m. junior varsity start). The Cardinals’ first home match is the following day, Aug. 22 against Colusa. They open league play Sept. 10 at home against Lower Lake.
