As she enters her second season at the helm, Cloverdale volleyball coach Paige Glassburn is excited. 

"I cannot wait to get this season started," Glassburn told The Putnam County Post. 

The 2013 Cloverdale graduate guided the Clovers to a 3-20 campaign last year and admits she saw plenty of growth in her team as it progressed. 

"I feel like we grew so much from the summer season to the end of actual season. Our overall game record didn't show how much we grew, but the way the girls were playing and even practicing toward the end of our season was definitely a huge improvement from the start of our offseason last summer," Glassburn told The Putnam County Post. 

This offseason, Glassburn admits has been a bit of a struggle when it comes to getting players to open gym.

"The ones who have showed up have worked extra hard and are coachable, fun girls who show they are willing to put in the work and have improved so much," Glassburn said. 

Gone from a season ago are: outside hitter Andrea Ness, defensive specialist Erin Johnson, middle hitter Hailey Caulkins and setter Lillie Jones. 

"I think each of these girls hold a special spot on our team and it will be difficult to replace their positions. We had a few JV players get a little varsity experience last year to help us out during injuries and I think those girls will do a great job fulfilling the positions once we get a little bit of that varsity level play under our belt," Glassburn said. 

When it comes to this season, the second-year coach admits she has several players she is leaning on for big things. 

Leading the way is senior middle hitter Emily Mann. 

"She is a great hitter and has really showed up this summer. I've coached her since she was in middle school between volleyball and basketball, and she is just an overall great athlete," Glassburn said. 

Senior Yasmin Shorter is back at outside hittter and Glassburn said she is a player that has made leaps and bounds from the start of her career.

"She will definitely be holding a big role for the team this season," Glassburn said. 

Sophomore setter Jacie Neese is back and has been working hard during the offseason to become better. 

"As a freshman last year, she was pulled up to varsity to help us out. She showed nerves and has come so far since the end of last season. She has already shown this summer that she has come out of her bubble and can be a leader on the court," Glassburn said. 

With the season approaching, Glassburn admits the Clovers are struggling with numbers this season. 

"We have a great group of girls that put in the work. Taylor, our JV coach, and I really enjoy coaching these girls. Our main goal this year is to improve and to keep making forward steps. We had a few games last year that we only lost by a few points or took games to four or five sets, and I'd really like to see these girls keep up the fight they had from last year and to pull out a few more wins," Glassburn said. 

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