Covington enters the 2013 volleyball season with youthful enthusiasm after an 11-12 record a year ago - a season that saw the loss of six seniors to graduation.

In her second season as head volleyball coach, Ashley Miller will look to replace five starters from last season's lineup, four of which were seniors. Without a single senior on the roster, Miller will rely on youthful enthusiasm to make up for the lack of varsity experience.

And Miller has some young leaders to lean on in juniors Jessica Dammeyer, Kenzie Atkinson, Megan Lange and Ariel Robinson. Dammeyer earned second-team all CCC honors a year ago as a defensive specialist and both Atkinson and Robinson saw significant varsity time last season off the bench. All four juniors will be expected to fulfill leadership rolls with the absence of a senior class.

They'll have help too, as sophomores Arianna Richards, Brooke Gostomsky and Erin Olson all return after lettering last year as freshman. The trio each bring different skill sets to the game, which helps provide Covington balance offensively and defensively.

Joining the young Lady Buccs varsity squad are four talented freshman; Rachel York, Lexi Long, Ashley Cecil and Savanna Schaurer. Each will push for varsity playing time due to their athleticism and court awareness.

With Covington's youth and lack of size - just two girls over 5'10" - the Lady Buccs will rely on scrappiness and gritty play against a brutal schedule that includes traditionally strong programs; Russia, Tri-Village, New Bremen, Anna, Twin Valley South, Minster, Tri-County North, Jackson Center, Versailles and the two-time defending state champions, Miami East.

In spite of the obstacles, the expectations for Covington volleyball are the same as in years past - compete at the highest level.