DAPHNE, Ala. - The Lady Trojans reload for 2013 with three experienced seniors in Sarah Chapman, Jordan Filotei and Hope Fulton for head coach Edoli Herrion who starts her fourth season at her own high school alma mater.

Filotei brings significant experience to the libero position and has verbally committed to play for the University of Arkansas at Monticello next year.

Graduation took its toll on the DHS starting rotation of 2012, Herrion said with seven players: Taylor Barnette, Katherine Barr, Julia Cleveland, Taylor Pitt,Anna Ramsey, Audrey Walding and Taylor Wright—all of whom saw considerable court time last fall—moving on.

“We have some new players stepping in this year along with our seniors who all had a lot of varsity time as juniors. And also two juniors from last’s varsity who have really going to be big for us. We also have a couple of JV players from last year who are speeding up their game and will be ready to play varsity level volleyball this year.

“So, I feel good about season. It’s still early and we have a way to go, but they are working hard and learning the right stuff at a good pace, too. And that just means, right now, I like our volleyball IQ and where we can go from here once we really get set in a rotation.”

She added that this group brings a well-rounded balance of offensive and defensive strengths to the court.

“They cover the floor with a lot of hustle and heart. We have a good group of strong passers and a strong serving team, our defense needs to catch up a little, experience-wise. But Jordan is our anchor back there and has the leadership factor on the court that you always want. She sees the court well, commands respect and communicates real well. But she’ll need some help, too. And fortunately we have Sarah who is coming to us from Murphy and she will help us out a lot on defense. She is very quick and smart on the back row. Hope has good experience in the middle and will be a strong leader for us there. And so with my juniors and my seniors I think we’ll get there so I’m excited. We’ll just keep working to make progress and try to use our strengths to our advantage as much as possible.”

Herrion will be joined by assistant Kevin Frazier who bring a lot of coaching experience from Baker and more recently from Spanish Fort. “We are lucky to have him,” she said. “Kevin brings a whole lot of enthusiasm, excitement and game know-how to our bench and the girls are real receptive.”

She will also have assistant coach Reynolds Pittman returning for her sophomore season coaching at DHS.

Pittman played for Bayside Academy under legendary head coach Ann Schilling and has been a solid instructor for the Lady Trojans junior varsity program.

“Reynolds is keeping me loaded on varsity and does a great job with the JV kids,” Herrion said.

Daphne opens at Baker Aug. 29 and opens the area run on the road at Robertsdale against the defending area champion Golden Bears Sept 3.