CLOQUET - To put Monday's first day of Cloquet volleyball tryouts into perspective, the high school gymnasium looked like a zoo.
And that's just the way Heidi Anderson likes it.
"We had a good turnout," said the seventh year head coach, Anderson, about the mayhem throughout the day. "We got everyone back together playing and it was quite exciting."
A total of 48 girls in grades 7-12 showed up Monday morning to CHS, as Anderson and fellow coaches watched girls pass, set and hit balls during the four-plus hour practice.
"We've got a lot of young kids trying out," said Anderson, while the girls took down the nets and put away equipment Monday. "All of the girls spend a lot of time playing and there's a lot of potential."
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Tryouts continued through Wednesday, and the focus now moves towards this fall's upcoming season.
A year ago, Cloquet finished with a 14-15 record and placed third in the difficult Lake Superior Conference. They were bounced from the postseason after being swept by perennial power Hibbing in the semis.
Nonetheless, the 'Jacks lost just three seniors from last season.
"We have to be ready to go right away," said two-year senior starter Katie Schulz Monday. "We have to get going from the first serve. I enjoyed getting back out here. I'm excited to start the season."
Her teammate, senior libero Kierra Johnson, agreed.
"We have a lot of talent, we just have to put it together," she said. "Today was exciting. We have a lot of experience coming back."
Along with Schulz and Johnson highlighting an experienced bunch returning to the court, Cloquet brings back some height as well, including six-footers in junior middle hitters Maddie Kiehn and Emily Fossen.
"Height definitely helps, but you have to be able to use that," said Anderson. "We have to work on back row defense and improve our serving and passing, because that's what keeps you in the game."
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Essentially, a lot of work needs to be done, but Johnson put it best.
"It was just the first day," she laughed. "We'll see what comes up."
Cloquet jumps into competition Saturday, Aug. 21, and Monday, Aug. 23, when they take part in the Hibbing Scrimmages starting at 9 a.m. both days.
They'll then face off in the LSC Jamboree Tuesday, Aug. 24, at Superior before hitting the road Friday, Aug. 27, for their season-opener at 7 p.m. in Grand Rapids.
"The girls are excited about volleyball," said Anderson. "It's still pretty early to tell. There are some big shoes to fill, but I think we have some girls who can step up and fill those roles."
