Back on the court and ready for a new season, the Orange Lutheran girls volleyball team has their eye on a league title and a strong postseason run. A mix of talented younger players and upperclassmen, the Lancers have six seniors on the roster this year, led by four-year varsity setter Lily Underwood and opposite hitter Makalin Goehring. Underwood’s freshman year marked OLu’s last Trinity League championship, and head coach Henry Valiente is hoping this is the season the program reclaims the title. “That is what we aspire to,” says Valiente. “We have a lot of high-caliber players on the team right now…and they've been battling. I could honestly say this is one of the most talented teams I've seen here since I’ve coached the (Orange Lutheran) girls program.” Joining the senior leaders are freshman standout and outside hitter Westley Matavao, junior transfer Maylynn Mitchell and junior libero Jaedyn Houston. Valiente and the coaching staff and encouraged by the players’ response in the early weeks of practice. “Our offense is quicker, and our expectations are higher,” says Valiente. “Our standards are way up there, and they're all ears. They're so coachable. They're a young, focused group with great senior leaders.” After competing last weekend in the Queen’s Court Tournament, the varsity squad is headed to Oahu, Hawaii, this week for the elite Ann Kang Invitational hosted at the Iolani School in Honolulu. Also on the schedule this fall for the Lancers are key matchups against Corona del Mar and Los Alamitos, as well as their Trinity League opponents. Additionally, OLu will compete in the Whittier Varsity Classic and the Freeway Games, in which they are the defending champions. Eager to get started this week against strong competition in Hawaii, the Lancers will be measuring their success beyond just the win and loss columns. “These girls are ready to fight and to compete,” says Valiente. “But we are also striving to have winning be in how to be part of a team, how to support each other and how to be a sisterhood. We want to make sure that we are the best teammates out there…and hopefully by being best friends and best teammates, that spills over onto the court as well.”