By Donald Heath

Special for the Effingham Herald

SPRINGFIELD – A year ago, Effingham County’s volleyball team won 25 games but internal strife made it a trying season for head coach Brittany Lein.

The Rebels were up and down. They put together three five-game winning streaks and knocked off highly regarded St. Vincent’s during the regular season.

But the down times were sobering. After holding off rival South Effingham in its first meeting, ECHS lost to the same Mustangs in the two games that mattered the most – in the region standings and the region tournament.

And a year after winning a region championship and entering State as a No. 1 seed, the Rebels slipped to fourth and saw the season end unceremoniously on the road in straight sets to Woodward Academy.

“Last year was really mentally challenging for us,” Lein said. “At the end of the day we didn’t put it together and I think it came down to us not working together. I think we’re in a different mental headspace this season.”

She’ll have nine seniors returning who have played big roles in 51 wins over the last two seasons.

More importantly, Lein said this group has cohesiveness and leadership. Eight of the nine played club volleyball together in the summer.

ECHS volleyball season tips off today (Aug. 7) with matches against Habersham and Southeast Bulloch. Twenty-four hours later, the Rebels expect stern tests from 29-win Glynn Academy and 30-win Richmond Hill.

“Our nine seniors want to be leaders,” Lein said. “They want to come in and work hard. They want practices to be meaningful. That’s how you get better.”

Setter Bentley Braswell will direct the 5-1 attack, which keeps her on the court regardless of the rotation. Braswell earned first-team, all-region honors last season after registering 401 assists.

“The setter is like the quarterback of the team and having Bentley for four years makes a big difference,” Lein said. “She leads not only on the court but off the court as well.”

Scroggs was a second-team, all-region performer last season while posting 360 digs. Giaquinto plays with similar defensive skills.

“Both could play both positions. They’re both quick and have great passing skills,” Lein said.

At 5-foot-9, Teston has the skills to be a big hitter from the right side. She is the team’s returning leader in kills with 163. Lein said Teston could play all-around.

Kimber Michealis and Jorja Lanham will be key in the middle of the frontline. Michaelis had 131 kills and a team-leading 46 blocks a year ago. Lanham was productive with 92 kills.

Clarissa Salcido and Jordyn Powell will add depth to the frontline. Lein said Salcido dominated on the junior varsity team last season. Powell, a sophomore, continues to improve.

Preseason injuries to setter Charlotte Shearouse and hitter Emily Perkins will hurt the team’s depth but with 39 girls in the growing program help is only a shout across the gym away.

“I’m super excited about the season, putting last year behind us and moving forward to work together,” Lein said.