Dialog reporter
WILMINGTON — St. Elizabeth returns much of the same roster that fought for a 6-9 record last season and a berth in the state volleyball tournament, where the Vikings dropped a tough five-setter to Tatnall. St. E’s lost its two top hitters, but others are ready to step up and make an impact in 2016. Coach James Phillips said junior Alexis Lee probably will be the primary offensive weapon, and senior Kaylie Gautier is expected to be a big contributor.
“She’s going to do good things for us and be a nice, calming factor,” Phillips said.
Sophomore Shea Sweeney will be the setter, but for the Vikings, it will be a team effort every night out.
“A bunch of other kids who are ready to step into any spot, any role and play really hard. We’re really still figuring things out, trying to figure out what’s going to be the best rotation and best lineup for us. I think we’re going to do good things,” Phillips said midway through the preseason.
Lee said a return to the state tournament is the goal.
“We have a lot of talent, but everyone’s really young. We’re going to work really hard and hopefully be better than we were last year,” she said.
The schedule is never easy for St. Elizabeth, which plays six times against its powerful Catholic Conference foes. There are also several tough nonconference opponents awaiting, including St. Thomas More on the road and Newark Charter, Caravel, Archmere and Conrad at the St. E Center. All of those teams were in the state tournament last year. The Vikings did defeat St. Thomas More and Newark Charter last season. Phillips said the team has a few goals this season, such as advancing further in the tournament and grabbing a conference win.
“We want to win a Catholic Conference match,” Phillips said. “That’s a big deal for us. We had a dry spell for a little bit, and we’re ready to be done with that. Ready to kick that monkey off our back and get ourselves a win. We want to do at least one better than last year … or even better.”
Schedule
09/10/16 Saturday @ Caesar Rodney 1:15 pm
09/13/16 Tuesday URSULINE 7:15 pm
09/15/16 Thursday @ St. Thomas More 6:45 pm
09/21/16 Wednesday @ St. Georges Tech 5:15 pm
09/22/16 Thursday ST. MARK’S 7:15 pm
09/24/16 Saturday NEWARK CHARTER 1:15 pm
09/26/16 Monday CARAVEL 7:15 pm
10/01/16 Saturday @ Padua 2:30 pm
10/03/16 Monday @ Ursuline 7:15 pm
10/06/16 Thursday @ St. Mark’s 7:15 pm
10/11/16 Tuesday ARCHMERE 6:15 pm
10/13/16 Thursday PADUA 7:15 pm
10/18/16 Tuesday CONRAD 6:45 pm
10/20/16 Thursday @ Wilmington Christian 5:45 pm
10/26/16 Wednesday DELCASTLE 6:45 pm
