2018 Durango Girls Volleyball Capsule

League: Class 4A Desert

Head coach: Amy Schlauder, sixth season

2017 record: 24-12 (11-2 4A Sunset/third)

Returning letter winners (starters): Four (four)

Top athletes: S/OPP Tehani Faitau (Sr.), S/OPP Anuhea Faitau (Jr.), LIB Sierra Leone Sanchez (So.), OH Jaylin Ellis (Sr.)

Outlook: Coming off one of their more successful seasons in the past several years, the Trailblazers seem primed for another big year.

Ellis (644 kills, 253 digs), Tehani Faitau (490 assists, 69 aces) and Anuhea Faitau (386 assists, 60 aces) all return to guide the offense. Sanchez (381 digs) will help engineer the defense.

“Highly motivated to compete as one of the top teams in the new Desert Region, Durango returns a core group of its starting lineup,” Schlauder said. “With the addition of some new key roles, expectations are high that the Trailblazers will make a deep run in the postseason tournament.

“A commitment to teamwork will determine Durango’s ability to contend for regional and state titles.”