In his third season at the helm of the volleyball program, head coach Fred Mann is excited about the talent of his young team.

This season, the Pumas have eight returning players including four seniors, who all have played major roles in transforming Perry into a legitimate state contender. “Our setters are new; we have a new libero this year,” Mann explained, sitting along side seniors Taylor Knoll and Hannah Stevenson, at the fall sports media day.

Things are looking bright for a club that won 26 games last year and reached the postseason for the second time in school history.

“We have a lot of players on the actual team from last year returning,” Mann explained. “All four of our main hitters are back including Taylor Knoll.”

A senior outside hitter, Knoll had 346 kills last year.

“She has all kinds of school records,” Mann explained. He also noted that there are some younger players who might challenger her this season. Knoll glanced over at her teammates just left of the stage, giving them a friendly “show-me-what-you-got” glance.

Among other returning players, Kennedy Kaminsky, a sophomore this year, has proven her worth. Mann stated that he “very seldom keeps freshman” on his team, and that  Kaminsky showed true talent last year.

“Kennedy is a stud. It helps when you are 6’2’. [She] needs to grow and get stronger and be more dynamic as a player,” he said. “She is one of these girls who is super-motivated to be good. She has a good work ethic and works hard and tries to get better. We see (her) as being a division 1 volleyball player.”

Kaminsky made the team last year as a freshman and during her first volleyball season at Perry has made 70 kills. Another one of those young, talented players is sophomore Ryan Davis.

“I cannot even tell you how good she is,” Mann stated. “She’s a phenomenal player.” Due to Davis and Knoll being good offensive players, Mann has designed his offense around Davis and Knoll.

This offseason, the volleyball team prepared for the PHS season by competing in elite club tournaments, both in and out of Arizona.

“We played club offseason to prepare,” senior Hannah Stevenson explained. Her hopes for their season are that the team “works together” and improves on their “individual skills.”

With high hopes this season, the Pumas are looking forward to opening their season at Horizon High School on Sept. 3 at 6 p.m.