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Volleyball Preview A new year, with the same goal Bears hope to return to Denver

The 2015 Dolores volleyball team.

The Dolores volleyball team's 2014 season ended in Denver.

And they'd like to return.

After claiming district and regional championships, the Bears traveled to Denver, where they fell in the state tournament. But the 18-8 season was a success.

Now, co-head coaches Gina Hollen and Tiffany Hill are working with an entirely different team.

"We're going to be pretty young this year," said Hill. "A lot of freshman and sophomores."

Dolores graduated three players, Taylor Elder, Beth Brown and Kelly Charles, and outside hitter Courtney Blackmer moved.

But returning senior and team captain Larissa Umberger is back at setter. She and junior Harlie Valdez will look to lead the young team, with sophomores Josie Majors, Sierra Schwartz and Cameron Elder bringing valuable varsity experience.

"We're young stacked," Hill said. "But I think we have a good athletic group coming up. They're upbeat and very coachable players that I think will surprise people."

The young team has been putting in the time, attending open gym and individual and team camps this summer. The Bears took second in the medium division at the Fort Lewis volleyball camp.

Last weekend, the team took part in a pre-season scrimmage in Pagosa Springs. Although score wasn't kept, the team scrimmaged against Pagosa Springs, Bayfield, Del Norte, Centauri and Ignacio.

"The girls did pretty well," said Hollen. "Passing seemed to be a strong point for us - which was good."

The scrimmage was the last competition before the regular season starts. The team will travel to Shiprock for a season-opening tournament Sept. 4-5.

Although the 2015 Bears look much different than last year's squad, they have similar goals.

"I think state is always a good goal to look at," Hollen said.