In one week, the Pella volleyball team begins varsity competition – a game that will not only serve as the season opener, but also as the start of an intriguing journey for the Lady Dutch.

Following the departure of ten seniors from last year’s squad, Pella’s line-up will showcase a lot of fresh faces, including a number of first-timers at the Varsity level. Lady Dutch Head Coach Bob Fessler says every volleyball season offers the chance to start fresh, and that prospect is very exciting this season.

“What we have in front of us is a unique opportunity for young ladies to really make their own history – their own path – and it’s so fun to coach them down that path and just challenge them to see what they can become,” says Fessler. “So it’s kind of putting together that puzzle every year, and we get to start with fresh and new pieces this year, and that just adds to that element of excitement.”

The Pella volleyball team went 38-6 in 2010, qualifying for the Class 3A State Volleyball Tournament for the fifth consecutive season. Next Thursday’s season-opener will pit the Lady Dutch against the Ballard Bombers in Huxley.