With seven returning players from last year's 21-3 varsity team, and five players from last year's 17-5 junior varsity team, Cooperstown volleyball's first year head coach Rich Jantzi is trying to contain his enthusiasm about the season, which begins Monday at New York Mills.

"The team looks very good, but it's hard to say for sure before we play any games," Jantzi said. "We've got a good core of girls coming back, and nice additions from the J.V. last year so it's hard not to be very optimistic about the season."

Senior returners Jackie Clark and Teddy Woeppel have been named co-captains of this year's team, and they will be joined by returning seniors Emilia Garcia, Jen LaBudde and Laura Demarzo. Also returning is junior Marcie Foster and sophomore Susan Clark. Those players were all instrumental members of last year's team, which began the season 12-0 before losing to perennial power Canastota.

The team's biggest loss to graduation were the Clarvoe twins, Suzanne and Carolyn, who were three year starters and set many of the points up on offense.

"They were the quarterbacks, and if we have one weakness it will be setting," Jantzi said. "But we have six girls who can do it and we're working on that in practice."

Newcomers to the varsity include Emily Pokorny, Jill Warner, Kerri Jennings, Liz Christman and Julia Hosnedl.

Jantzi said his team should be a very strong hitting team and strong up the middle, and "better than average" defensively as well.

"The emphasis is on team," Jantzi said. "All 12 girls will have a say in how our season ends up. we're probably a deeper team than last year, but that doesn't necessarily mean we'll be a better team."

After playing at New York Mills on Monday, the Lady Redskins will have their home-opener Friday, Nov. 29 when they host Delhi before traveling to play in the Unatego Tournament over Thanksgiving weekend.

Jantzi said Canastota, Sauquoit and Mt. Markham should all be tough opponents in Center State Conference play, but he hopes his team can challenge for the league title.

"The girls have been working very hard and are very excited to get the season underway," Jantzi said.

...Chuck O'Bryan, who coached the varsity volleyball team for the past four seasons, will coach the J.V. this season. Jantzi had coached the junior varsity the last two seasons.

Cooperstown varsity volleyball schedule: Nov. 25: at New York Mills; Nov. 29: DELHI; Nov. 30: at Unatego Tournament; Dec. 2: at Dolgeville; Dec. 6: ORISKANY; Dec. 7: MORRISVILLE; Dec. 11: at Sherburne; Dec. 13: CANASTOTA; Dec. 14: at Dolgeville; Dec. 18: WESTMORELAND; Dec. 20: at Old Forge; Jan. 6: at Mt. Markham; Jan. 8: SAUQUOIT; Jan. 10: at Hamilton; Jan. 15: SHERBURNE; Jan. 17: at Canastota; Jan. 21: WATERVILLE; Jan. 22: at Morrisville; Jan. 24: MT. MARKHAM; Jan. 27: at Frankfort; Jan. 31: at Sauquoit; Feb. 3: HAMILTON; Feb. 5: at Waterville.