After a 2010 season that ended with a state championship, the Catalina boys volleyball team begins this season on a mission to add to that success.
This year's team is heavy with seniors as five starters return from the team that went 37-4 overall and 20-0 in region play.
But this current version of the Trojans volleyball team has bigger aspirations.
"We want to be the best team Tucson has ever seen," said coach Heather Moore-Martin. "We're aiming to play volleyball in a way Southern Arizona has never seen before."
Senior outside hitter Ryan Graham is expected to lead the team.
"Ryan is a real calming force on the team," Moore-Martin said. "Offensively, we can count on him. But we're so balanced that we can mix the ball around and not have to lean on him all the time."
Catalina's 2011 campaign is off to a good start. The Trojans swept Canyon del Oro on Tuesday in their season opener.
So what will the Trojans have to do to reach their goals?
Moore-Martin laid out the three areas her team needs to improve.
Let the seniors be leaders. "I just got my guys who were playing basketball back, so this will be my first week with my whole team. But with their experience and the amount of time they've already put in together, we'll all be on the same page in about a week or so.
"Having a roster full of seniors is a real advantage this year. The senior leadership on this team is unparalleled, and it helps me so much to have them with their experience."
Continue to master the fundamentals. "We have to be diligent about the hard work we put into practice, and even though we're pretty clear on the basics, fundamentals are so key to volleyball.
"If you don't have those, then you'll lose, no matter how good your team is. We have some good tournaments coming up. Those will be great tests for us."
Strive for ball control. "We're a strong ball-control team. Once the ball passes the block, we can handle it defensively. And with our passing, we can set ourselves up with good looks offensively.
"We have to continue to strive for our ball control, and that means handling ourselves at the net. We need to be able to slow down big guys, because that's been an issue for us before."
Boys Volleyball Watch list
• Austin Cherry, Sr., Sabino
• Josh DeYoung, Sr., Catalina
• Ryan Graham, Sr., Catalina
• Scott Jenks, Sr., Mountain View
• Catt Kord, Sr., Marana
• Cooper Kowalski, Sr., Catalina
• Andy Magill, Jr., Catalina Foothills
• Dallis Shingler, Jr., Sahuaro
• Dan Smith, Sr., Salpointe Catholic
• Alec Sonderman, Jr., Ironwood Ridge
Note: Athletes chosen by Star staff in consultation with area coaches.
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