FRUITPORT – The Fruitport volleyball team is planning to build off a memorable 2022 postseason run when the 2023 season kicks off on Friday.

Last year’s overall record of 17-26 and a last place finish in the O-K Blue Conference did not tell the whole story.

The Trojans got hot in the postseason and beat Montague to claim a Division 2 district championship and won their first-round regional match before bowing out of the regional finals.

Fruitport happens to play in a very tough conference, and there’s no doubt that the rigors of the competition prepared the Trojans for their postseason success.

“Our team was the only one not ranked (in the state) in our conference,” said head coach Nicole Bayle about the 2022 season. “It just speaks of how tough our conference is and how it allowed us to play good volleyball down the stretch.”

The Trojans learned plenty from their late-season run and plan to build it off it with five returning players.

“They have that belief and realization now,” said Bayle about the mindset of two seniors, two juniors and one sophomore who return this season. “It’s given them fuel in their belly to start the season off strong. It all comes with building that confidence and winning tight games. We’re carrying over that excitement into the start of this season.”

Two returning players who are fueled for this season are outside hitter Ashton Olson and libero Lauren Riedel.

“I’m really looking forward to them having a great season,” Bayle said about her senior players. “Lauren really brings hustle and effort to the court while Ashton really came into her own at the end of last season. She was huge for us in the postseason and has come a long way this summer. Both of them are really solid leaders and hard workers.”

Returning junior middle hitter Sadie Haase, who was All-State honorable mention last year, is a developing force who should be even better this year.

“She’s really a dynamic and powerful offensive weapon,” Bayle said. “She’s a great blocker in the front row and we’re looking for her to increase her wealth of attacks and grow into a smart, mature hitter.”

Another returning junior is outside attacker Tara Sweet, who brings a great personality to the floor, according to Bayle.

“She’s one of those program kids,” the coach said. “She holds everyone together and is very good about focusing on the team rather than her personal stuff. She brings really good things for us.”

The lone returning sophomore this year is setter Gracelynn Olson.

“As someone who played setter, I know how important it is,” Bayle said. “She really takes control and understands the offense. She’ll work into one of the top setters in the area I think by the end of the season.”

Two up and coming players are sophomore outside hitter Ellie Stroup and sophomore middle blocker Emma Danicek.

With the mix of experience and youth, Bayle thinks her players will blend very well.

“It’s a pretty cool thing about our kids actually,” she said. “We’ve had a couple of these kids up for two years even though they’re young. This group is special because they don’t equate leadership with age. They do a good job of sharing leadership roles and we openly talk about things as a team.”

When it’s all said and done, Bayle is hoping her team can bring home a few more trophies this fall, including one from the GMAA city tournament, which Fruitport last won in 2019.

“We’d love to win a city title,” she said. “I know that’s a goal for our kids.”