As the 2011 season begins, the Pella volleyball team will set out on a new journey that will see the program looking much different than in has in several years. The Lady Dutch graduated ten seniors from last year’s team, leaving an obvious void to be filled this season.

Monday was the first official day of practice, and Pella head coach Bob Fessler is looking forward to the challenge of assembling an almost entirely new varsity line-up.

“The fun part about that is it’s so exciting when you have a new season [with] a new group of kids,” says Fessler. “We have some great young ladies that I’m just so excited to see how they develop – to see the different avenues and what they can bring to the team, and just how it all pieces together – that’s the fun part about coaching.”

The Pella volleyball team compiled a 38-6 record last season, qualifying for the State Volleyball Tournament for the fifth consecutive season. The Lady Dutch will open varsity competition on August 25th at Ballard High School.