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Roane County High’s 2010 volleyball team includes, front (from left): Amber Harper, Callie Moles, Kelly Hall, Muriah Nutter, Kadee Kizer, Courtney Runyon; middle: Grace Westfall, Kenzie Shreve, Leighanne Batten, Kayla King, Kasey Blosser, Rebecca Sloan; back: Asst. Coach Gary King, Morgan McMinn, Brandy Hylbert, Micky Rhodes, Beth Hylbert, Hillary Blosser, Ashley Parsons, Katie Mace, Leah Nichols, Coach Phyllis Nutter. Photo by Sue Knotts

"Good chemistry; that’s what builds your team," Nutter, head Roane County High volleyball coach said. "I feel that chemistry is there."

Nutter will start her second season with the Lady Raiders today (Thursday) with an LKC match at Gilmer County. Along with good chemistry, Roane returns three starters from a year ago on a youthful roster that includes only one senior.

The Lady Raiders finished 15-14 in 2009. They were ninth in the conference and got swept by Ravenswood in the sectional tournament.

The returning starters are juniors Kelly Hall, Brandy Hylbert and Leah Nichols.

"I think (Hall) will be one of our top players," Nutter said. "She’s pretty athletic and can read the ball real well. She gets the plays set up for us."

Hall, a captain along with senior Leighanne Batten, will be an outside hitter and help direct the Lady Raiders in their new 5-1 set.

Defensive specialist Hylbert will play the libero spot.

"That’s all back row playing," Nutter said. "She’s good at digging the ball and is very aggressive on that back row."

Nichols, an honorable mention all-LKC pick as a sophomore, is also an outside hitter after shifting from setter.

"She’s getting stronger every day," Nutter noted. "She really transitions well."

The newcomers to the lineup all saw limited varsity action last season. They are sophomores Beth Hylbert, Micky Rhodes and Muriah Nutter, the coach’s daughter.

Hylbert is a strong server, Rhodes a middle hitter and blocker and Nutter a setting specialist. Nutter was MVP of the JV team as a freshman.

Batten will see back row action for Beth Hylbert and Kayla King, a sophomore and the daughter of assistant coach Gary King, will rotate in as an outside hitter and blocker.

The Lady Raiders and St. Marys split four games during a preseason scrimmage. Roane’s JV team, which includes 11 freshmen, swept three games during the same scrimmage.

"There’s a tremendous amount of talent there," Nutter said of the JV. "I’m looking forward to working with them on the varsity level."

She’s also looking forward to this year and facing a schedule that includes the usual slate of LKC opponents as well as an appearance in the Volleyball Showcase at the Charleston Civic Center.

"I believe that once we start moving into matches we will see some improvements with transitioning and reaction times," Nutter said. I do think right now that is a downfall of some of the players and they could be holding back their talents.

"We’re young and inexperienced, but I know we’ll have a winning season. I think we’re going to be on top of our game this year."