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(NewsDakota.com)- The 2011 volleyball season ended in disappointing fashion for the Jamestown Blue Jays when they were knocked out in two games in the WDA Tournament after being the No. 3-seeded team.

“We’re that much more driven [after last season’s end] to play hard and to win,” All-WDA Middle Hitter Siri Jystad said today. “Obviously, state champs is our goal.”

The new season brings a renewed sense of urgency to the Jays squad. They lost some key contributors from the 2011 team but they bring back All-Stater McKayla Orr along with All-WDA performers Jystad and Addie Eamon.

“Addie Eamon is playing some great volleyball,” commented head coach Sara Hegerle. “She was pretty much unstoppable this weekend.”

Hegerle believes her team is ready to roll in the regular season after finishing 7-0 in Bismarck this past weekend. “I was excited when it was over, but like I told our team we’re moving on past that now. Keep it in our memory bank that we competed with the state’s best teams.”

They will open their 2012 tonight at Jerry Meyer Arena against Minot (7pm).

Coach Hegerle and Siri Jystad came on to the “AM Update” to discuss the 2012 season with Steve Linzmeier. That interview can be heard below.