ILWACO – “If everything falls into place, I think we can finish in the first division,” Coach Grant Chinn said of his 2005 Lady Fishermen volleyball team.

Ilwaco returns two starters off their team that lost in a pre-District playoff last season and has a total of five returning lettermen. The two returning veterans, Katie Hazen and Carly Taylor, are two big reasons for Chinn’s optimism. Hazen, a four-year starter in volleyball, will provide much of the hitting strength at the net for the Lady Fishermen and Taylor is slated to play the Libero position as back-row defensive specialist.

Tara Hankins looks to have the edge as setter in early practices with Amber Stanley and Taylor adding depth at the key setter position in the 5-1 offense Ilwaco plans on utilizing. Monica Smith, the other returning lettermen, will likely back up Taylor at Libero according to Chinn.

The coach is hopeful that new-comers Mary-Kate Brouse and Erin McDonell will add the critical front row strength Ilwaco will surely need to vault from the cellar to first-division status in the Southwest Washington 1A League this season. With 28 girls turning out, numbers are surely not a problem.

“This is our best start since I’ve been coach,” Chinn said of his squad. “The girls have a positive attitude, are enthusiastic, and are already meshing as a team.” He added, “Our fundamentals and passing skills as a team have already impressed me. This is a very athletic group of girls.”

Chinn believes Kalama, White Pass, and Onalaska will battle for the SWW top spot and have the definite edge to fill the League’s three berths at State in November. “If we do what I think we can we have a chance to be competitive and near the top of the League,” Chinn concluded.

The team is made up of seven seniors, five juniors, seven sophomores, and nine freshmen. Others on the squad include Brianna Beller, Elizabeth Bonney, Ali Brooks, Alexis Couch, Racheal Cutting, Jessica George, and Courtney Gilgore. Sara Morris, Erin Shaw, Mia Staudenraus, Emily Thorne, Krissy Toivonen, Amanda Trusty, Ariel Weir and Desmine Wirkkala. Also on the team are Bethany Heimbigner, Charlotte Johnson, Angela Kimbrough, Chelsea LaDoux, Saskia Maertens (exchange student from Holland), and Samantha Millner. Ilwaco is currently actively looking for an assistant volleyball coach and interested parties may contact the school at 642-3731.