With eight returning players, the James River Knights are poised to improve on last year's secomd place finish in the Pioneer District when the season starts next week.

The Knights finished 13-8 last season, which included a 7-3 mark in the district, where they finished tied for second and then came away with a third place showing in the district tournament.

Returnees include senior setter Taylor Statome (136 digs, 48 aces, 436 assists, 18 kills and 18 blocks), junior outside hitter Rene Smith (60 digs, 58 aces, 13 kills, one assist), junior middle hitter Maribeth Kern (164 digs, 48 aces, eight assists, 243 kills, 36 blocks), junior libero Haily Cook (155 digs, one ace, three kills), junior right hitter/middle hitter Rachel Hepler (56 digs, 13 aces, two assists, 31 kills, four blocks), senior outside hitter Emily Smith (nine digs, two kills), junior outside hitter Conner Sprinkle (13 digs, 47 aces, one assist, 46 kills, two blocks) and senior middle hitter Savannah Sharkey (42 digs, six aces, 100 kills, 23 blocks).

"We have a great set of returning players," said head coach Audrey Easter.

Newcomers to the varsity program include junior setter Ashley Cummings, junior right hitter Sarah Huff and sophomore middle hitter Jenna Sprinkle.

As for the team's strengths and weaknesses, the coach noted, "We are very heavy on hitting, especially from the outside. We are training new hitters on the right side and many don't have the confidence in their hitting from that angle. We are also working with two strong setters this year and searching for how to imcorporate them both. We have grat height in the middle."

Easter further added, "We are looking forward to having our district tournament at home this year."