Looking to improve on last year's fourth place finish in the Blue Ridge District, Northside has a good mixture of young ladies to make that upward move in 2010.

Returning to the team this season are seniors Samantha Nguyen (Libero), Aisha Wiley (DS), Ruth Ann Wilbourne (S) and junior Kathleen Carr (OH).

New to the varsity program this fall are junior Erin Thompson (MH) and sophomore Caitlyn Porterfield (S).

"We have a good mixture of experience and youth," said coach Amy Crawford. "We need to continue to work on consistency."

Northside hits the court for its season-opener on Tuesday, Aug. 24, when they entertain Hidden Valley. The JV match starts at 6 p.m., followed by the varsity encounter.