Prep Volleyball Preview: Eagles look to seniors for leadership

The Eldorado varsity volleyball team return two starters off last year's team, including Abby Steed and Mary Mitchell. The two seniors, join six other classmates, Brooklyn Pearler, Lexi Clore, Whitney McGuire, Samantha Boulds, Jordan Bailey and Tia Briddick.

"We are smaller this year, so we will have to be a defensive minded team," EHS head coach Lisa Craig said. "Our main back row players will be Brooklyn Pearler, Lexi Clore and Kaitlyn McGuire."

Craig said she tapped Steed, Mitchell and Bailey as the Eagles' main attackers.

"We have a young setter this year in Madison Newton," Craig said. "She had a really good summer tournament performance at Crab Orchard. I think when she gets a few games under her belt, she should be an asset to our team."

Craig noted the expectations this year are to improve and win. Being a smaller team, Craig says her Eagles have to play clean and have no unforced errors.

Craig said the team had a good tournament at Crab Orchard this summer, where her kids played well and picked Carmi-White County and Fairfield as being two of the strongest teams in the Black Diamond Conference this year.

Eldorado opens the season with Harrisburg on September 2 and then will play at the Norris City-Omaha-Enfield Tournament the following week.

"The NCOE Tournament will be a test for our team and all the teams in the first two weeks are strong."

Eldorado High School Volleyball Schedule

<p>9-1     HARRISBURG    6:15 pm<br />9-9     at NCOE Tourn.    TBA<br />9-10     at NCOE Tourn     TBA<br />9-12     at Carrier Mills    9 am<br />9-14     CARRIER MILLS     6:30 pm<br />9-15     at Hamilton Co    6:15 pm<br />9-19     at Massac County    TBA<br />9-21 at Gallatin County    6 p.m.<br />9-22 CARMI-WHITE CO.    6:15 pm<br />9-24 at Fairfield     6:15 pm<br />9-28 at Vienna     6:15 pm<br />9-29 JOHNSTON CITY     6:15 pm<br />10-1 HAMILTON CO.     6:15 pm<br />10-5 at Christopher     6:15 pm<br />10-6 ZEIGLER-ROYLATON  6:15 pm<br />10-7 VIENNA     6:15 pm<br />10-8 at Carmi-White Co.    6:15 pm<br />10-13 FARIFIELD     6:15 pm<br />10-20 SESSER-VALIER     6:15 pm</p>