Senior Amy Nesius carries a truckload of experience into the 2008 season for Community. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

High schools across the state open up their schedules this week and will work off some of the rust before their respective district seasons get hot and heavy.

With the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration getting underway, the Viqueens are holding off on starting their season in order to assure their roster is at full strength.

Community's opener is versus District 11-A/AA rival Eagleville on Sept. 4 in Unionville. The Lady Eagles, for example, will have a minimum of seven matches under their belt.

That could leave the Viqueens at quite the disadvantage. So, the practice time they log between now and then will take on even greater importance than usual.

As third-year coach Allison Layne pointed out, her ladies have several positive traits that should help with any sort of scheduling issues.

Many of their players have game experience. Three seniors are expected to start and each possesses leadership qualities that will aid in avoiding the peaks and valleys that come with scoring runs. Then, there's the undeniable work ethic available for Layne, who noted how cooperative the entire roster is when it comes to doing anything she asks.

This is the 11th season of the program and they're coming off a 10-10 2007 campaign that ended prematurely last October when Spring Hill bounced them from the opening round of the district tournament in straight sets.

They only graduated one senior in Imon Murrill but injuries and personal reasons have further depleted the starting lineup.

Junior Kassidy Lane will log time as both a setter and a hitter. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Community will rely heavily on their consistency with their serves, which is key in the rally scoring system. A service into the net is a point. Simply keeping the ball in play and allowing the opposition to create unforced errors is quite the key in small school volleyball.

It's always tough to predict how Class A teams will do in districts that include Class AA schools. However, even if a coach has 400 more students to choose from in making out his or her squad, only six can be on the court at a time.

Layne likes her team's chances.

"Overall, we've got a pretty good chance to do well in the district," she said.

Veterans like senior Amy Nesius and junior Kassidy Lane carry all-district potential and their voices must carry more weight in huddles on the floor.

Layne admitted that the whole team needs to improve upon their communication and teamwork.

"Talking is probably the most important thing in any sport, but in volleyball especially, you've got to communicate every pass, every serve, every set, every spike," she said.

Nesius has shown to be the most consistent Viqueen and they want to get her touches each possession, if at all possible, as either a hitter or setter.

When top-notch competition like reigning 11-A/AA champion Page trot onto the court, the coach wants her girls to execute the plays called and take advantage of scoring opportunities.

"A lot of times we just continue to rally and rally," Layne said. "We've got to be able to put it away when it matters.

"We're a good digging team. We work on all the fundamentals. We play really good defense. But, we've got to work on just putting the ball away when it's time for us to score."

Through some preseason action, they've been getting caught in the net far too much while attempting to set up blocks.

Megan Busbee has potential to be a force as a middle hitter. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Megan Busbee could very well be the wild card needed to balance out their scoring attack. The junior middle hitter towers over most her teammates and is still learning the finer points of the game itself. Once the multi-sport athlete finds her niche, Busbee should be a force to be reckoned with near the net.

"We're looking for big things out of her in the middle," Layne said. "She's not only going to be a huge blocker for us, but her technique for hitting is getting better and better everyday."

With senior Carly Daffern's season looking bleak due to mid-summer knee surgery, sophomore Georgia Ralston must raise her level of play as an outside hitter.

"Georgia's going to get a lot of hitting ... she can jump freaking out of the ceiling," Layne said.

Bianca Maselter and Stephanie Anderson give the coach two more options in a deep pool of experienced players.