Jefferson City volleyball has been a sub-.500 team the past two years, losing in straight sets in the district semifinals.
Three years ago, the Lady Jays won their third straight district title and finished with 22 wins. Coach Lisa Hoffmeyer said this group of players certainly has the potential to return to those winning ways.
"We want to win 25 matches or better," she said. "We feel like we are capable of doing that. It's a whole different group than what we've had in the last couple of years."
Last season, Jefferson City got by Rock Bridge in the first round of district play, but lost to Battle in the semifinals.
The season before, eventual district champion Rock Bridge took out the Lady Jays in the semifinals.
"Nerves have kind of worked against us in the past," Hoffmeyer said. "We didn't always respond to the big pressure-packed moments. I feel like this group is going to be better. We're going to be a lot more consistent in that area."
The Lady Jays' 11-person roster is full of upperclassmen, including five seniors.
"I think that maturity is there a little bit more this year," Hoffmeyer said.
District 9 will have a new look the next two years, with Blue Springs South and Grain Valley joining Hickman, Rock Bridge, Sedalia Smith-Cotton and the Lady Jays.
Hannibal, Battle and Troy Buchanan moved to District 8.
Blue Springs South and Grain Valley each won 20 or more games last season.
"The path will be a little bit more difficult than it's been the last couple of years, but there's no reason we can't get through anybody," Hoffmeyer said.
Jefferson City got its first bit of game action in Tuesday at the Camdenton Jamboree.
The Lady Jays defeated Smith-Cotton and Marshfield in straight sets and split with Camdenton.
"I think we see our kids growing," Hoffmeyer said. "The thing we talked about at the end of that night was it was fun to see that consistency."
But that wasn't the only game-like situation Jefferson City has been in since practice started at the beginning of the month. The team has simulated game action a lot in practice.
"We talk a lot about how do we look when we're frustrated," Hoffmeyer said. "Are we able to work through those moments, can we respond? We believe that's what championship teams are made of. Can you maintain that balance in the middle? Avoid the highs and the lows. We just try to put the pressure on them as often as we can."
Hitter Tatum Gaines played well at the Jamboree, recording four kills and three blocks against Camdenton and two kills versus Sedalia Smith-Cotton.
Maddi Stone led the way against Marshfield with three kills and three blocks.
"We should be big hitters," Hoffmeyer said. "We should be a solid attacking team for sure. (We have) big kids that are capable of hitting the ball well."
Gaines, Stone and Corrin Lepper are listed as 5-foot-10.
Jefferson City plans to use two setters - Bailey Diehl and Veronica Allison.
At libero, Cameryn Campbell and Tori LePage are battling for playing time.
"They've been coaching each other up and supporting each other like crazy," Hoffmeyer said. "It's been a fun combination right now seeing the two of them challenging each other."
The Lady Jays open the season at noon today against St. Joseph's Academy at Fleming Fieldhouse.