The same Sumner High volleyball team which narrowly missed a berth in last season’s state tournament is set at setter and plans to give its opponents fits this fall in the South Puget Sound League 2A.

The Spartan volleyballers broke some hearts in the West Central District III volleyball tournament when they eventually succumbed to an Interlake High squad in a match that reached sudden death.  The Spartans fell just short of an appearance at state.

Sara Heuett is one of the few seniors gracing this year’s roster. She is a talented and experienced setter. Backing up Heuett is junior returning starter Brittany Smith, a well-rounded player who can offer support in all positions.

Other juniors are Cassidy Sargeant, a middle hitter, and Amanda Friermuth, an outside hitter who missed last year with injury. According to coach Mike Fitzpatrick, Friermuth should be returning to this season’s crew better than ever.

“We are young again this season, but we have a number of girls returning from last year’s squad who developed while they were learning the ropes last season,” Fitzpatrick said. “Despite the fact that we are in a tough South Puget Sound League 2A, with a much-improved Franklin Pierce squad as well as White River and Fife, both of who went to state last year, we should fare pretty well.”

The Spartans won’t have long to wait to see how much Franklin Pierce has improved. Sumner will travel to take on district rival Bonney Lake tonight, Wednesday, then travel to Franklin Pierce Thursday to open the league slate. Both contests begin at 7 p.m.