JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Fresh off their second appearance in the Class A title match, the Jamestown High Blue Jay volleyball team will go through a bit of a rebuild in 2018. They lost two all-staters in setter Megan Gaffaney and libero Hannah Schiele, among a handful of other key contributors.

This year’s team will feature a trio of players with big match experience; junior Kameron Selving and seniors Courtney Peterson and Abby Kallenbach, although an illness kept her from the state tournament.

Head coach Sara Hegerle is excited about some of the young players who will get a chance to take the floor, but knows there will be some growing pains along the way.

They are picked to finish fifth in a strong West Region. Century, who beat the Jays in the title, have won three straight titles and bring back all-state middle hitter 6-4 Lauren Ware. Ware’s domination in the fifth set of the state championship ended Jamestown’s hope of a second state title.

Mandan is picked to finish second and they bring back almost their entire lineup lead by Kennedy Harris, Megan Zander and Laykn Darras.

1. Century, 97 pts (7 first place votes)
2. Mandan, 89 (3)
3. Legacy, 78 (1)
4. Bismarck, 71
5. Jamestown, 70
6. St. Mary’s, 59
7. Minot, 46
8. Dickinson, 36
9. Williston, 28
10. Watford City, 21
11. TMCHS, 10

Jamestown will open their season at Turtle Mountain on Friday night, before their home opener against Legacy on Tuesday. You can hear the home opener on ESPN Jamestown.

Photo: Beth Ann Photography