Volleyball Coach Jan McNeely believes the South Whidbey High School volleyball program is in good hands if its freshman team is any indication.

This season, the ninth-grade Falcons were among the best teams in the North Cascade Conference. They used winning ways to compile a 15-5 season record, as well as height and strong technical skills.

McNeel said talent, height, and strong setting were the team’s strong suits this season. The frosh used all of these attributes when they finished the season with a third-place showing in the Meridian tournament and a sixth-place finish in the Falcon junior varsity tournament.

The team got there on the strength of setters Amy Brown and Carrie Anderson and middle hitter and Falcon utility player Mary McCune. She was tops in almost every category in the stat book, leading the team in kills, blocks, passing, serving and digging. Right behind her were hitters Kimery Hern and Kelsey Smith, who McNeely said turned in “outstanding” performances and added defensive strength for the Falcons.

Outside hitters Jamie Wegner and Natalie Alexander combined for countless attacks and strong coverage on defense during the season, while Lily Fox and Gabrielle Guidry protected the right side with fast hands and feet.

McNeely also said the addition of setter Brianne Dumke to the lineup often proved to be the difference in this year’s matches.