By Matt Browning
While the Smoky Valley volleyball team lost five of six seniors from last season’s team, returning senior Katja Blanchat is optimistic about her team’s prospects.
“We lost five of our six starters from last year and will have a young group with a lot of talent just not as much court time,” Blanchat said. “Our team chemistry is very strong and throughout the season I expect a lot of growth using what we have.”
Getting used to a new setter will be an adjustment for Blanchat, but she has already begun her preparations.
“This summer I have worked with many different setters in all three front row hitting positions to improve this area,” Blanchat said. “I have also worked on my vertical to help in that area and help in blocking.”
Blanchat has multiple goals, both as an individual and team, that she is hoping to cross off her list.
“This season I have a lot of goals for myself and the team,” Blanchat said. “I want to stay in the top few for blocks and kills in 3A. I am also not too far from 1,000 career kills and want to get past that mark. For our team my end goal is to make it to state. I have been blessed enough to make state all three of my years in high school volleyball; two of those years being very successful. One year we got second place and one year we got third. Going back to state for the last time is what I think me and the whole team really want to work towards.”
