Bay returns majority of talented starting lineup

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) – Following a much improved 2023 season, the Bay High volleyball team is returning the majority of its starting lineup and nearly all of its offensive production.

The Tornadoes increased their win total by 10 games from the year prior, barely missing out on the playoffs.

They graduated just two seniors but will still be a young team this year with only one senior, Isabella Breitenbach.

The team’s top two leaders in kills last year, outside hitter Maddie Colwell and middle blocker Ava Frewin, are expected to take another step forward as juniors.

Bay Head Coach Sierra Sain said entering her seventh season with the program, this might be her deepest roster yet.

“It’s blessings on blessings because we’re almost bottlenecked with talent,” Sain said. “And so right now, the newcomers to the team, it’s great because we already have an established team, an established program and culture. And everyone who has joined our roster brings something to the table.”

In addition to a wildly improved record, the Tornadoes picked up a couple of statement victories last year, including their first win over Arnold since 2007.

The returning players said those key victories gave them confidence to know they can compete with anyone this season.

“We definitely have a lot more determination this year,” Breitenbach said. “Last year, the girls were learning so much at one time that the games that we would win, you just didn’t know, it was over-excitement.”

“I know a lot of us were still really intimidated when playing other teams because we had so many underclassmen,” Colwell said. “But now, we’re just excited to play.”

The Tornadoes held an inter-squad scrimmage on Wednesday and will open their regular season by hosting Walton on Tuesday, August 20.

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