By Megan Kelley

Review Writer

As returning state champs, Lake Orion High School’s girls volleyball team has big shoes to fill this time around.

The team of 14 has five returning players this year with only one returning starter, Kendall Robertson.

The young team consists of seven juniors, three sophomores and one freshman.

“We graduated ten seniors, so we’re having to rely on a lot of inexperienced and young players to do a lot for us on the court this year, which is not normal for this program. We haven’t had to rely on this much youth in the past,” said head coach Tony Scavarda.

On Thursday, the team hosted their home and league opener against the Troy Colts.

Heading into the game, the Dragons held a 12-7 overall record and were looking to get their OAA Red league games off to a good start.

After two 25-17 wins over the Colts, the Dragons lost a little momentum but were still able to pull out a third and final set, winnning 25-19.

The three captains — senior Olivia Erwin, sophomore Jaina Macaulay and junior Kendall Robertson — led the team, with seniors Courtney and Kylie Andras, juniors Taylor Butkiewicz, Reagan Goeke and Lauren Staruch and freshman Nina Horning also contributing greatly to the winning effort.

This first league win puts Lake Orion at 1-0 in the OAA Red, tied with Stoney Creek, Clarkston and West Bloomfield.

Looking ahead, the team hopes to compete against all teams they encounter this season.

“Our goals are still to win the OAA, that’s always pretty much the first goal. Outside of that, we just want to compete. We think we have a shot at winning the district. From there, if we got hot, anything can happen, like last year,” said Scavarda. “Just because we’re young, I’m not saying the expectations are not to exceed what we did last year, I just think it’s going to be tougher.”

The ladies take on the Oxford Wildcats at Oxford High School on Tuesday at 7 p.m. after The Review goes to press.