Two years ago, the Eden Prairie High School volleyball team graduated eight seniors.

Last year, they did the same.

You can read into this in one of two ways. One, the cupboard is bare. Two, Eden Prairie’s volleyball program has evolved to the point where seniors, or upperclassmen, are making up the lion’s share of the roster (reloading as opposed to rebuilding).

Judging by the fact that the Eagles are getting a mention in the preseason coaches’ poll, the latter seems to be more accurate.

“We’ll be competitive,” said Eden Prairie Head Coach Chad Becker. “The key is staying healthy.”

“Oh yeah, definitely,” adds Co-captain Hayley Buchanan, without a qualification.

New faces

Acknowledging that he only returns two starters (Buchanan and Katie Froehle), Becker expects his team to get better as the season progresses.

“They’ve got to get along and they’ve got to learn to accept their roles,” said Becker. “If we can’t do that, it’s going to be difficult, especially early on.”

Buchanan and Company (Co-captains Froehle and Kathleen Krause), take this a step further. “We still have to meet everyone,” they said.

Same goes for Eden Prairie’s opponents.

“Over the last couple years,” said Becker, “we’ve been a team that mainly sets to the outside. That might not be the case this year.”

So?

“We’re going to have to pass really well and rely on our defense,” said Becker.

Lucky you

Section foes Chaska and Shakopee open the season ranked Nos. 1 and 2.

Lake foes Eastview and Lakeville North are also ranked in the top five.

There are a handful of teams from No. 6 on down that I think we’re better than,” said Becker. “We just have to go out and prove it.”

Ready, set, go.