ABOVE: Front row, from left: Savanna Card, Leslie Zarling, Lexi Fuller, Harper Artz, Nora Fitzgerald. Back row, from left: Jadyn Musser, Annaliese Rahm, Lilly Meyers, Jadyn Montgomery, Brylee Miller, Andrea Mennen, Makayla Lowry, Lexi Haycraft, Adylen Laven.

FAIRMONT – New year, new roster, new coach.

That’s the story for the Fairmont Cardinals volleyball team this year as the team looks to bounce back in 2025.

After finishing the 2024 campaign with a 4-22 record, first-year head coach Stacey Garber looks to make improvements throughout her new program.

“We want to be competitive,” Garber said. “We want to win some games, have fun, and just enjoy volleyball.”

The Cardinals return three players who have significant varsity experience: Brylee Miller, Leslie Zarling, and Jadyn Montgomery. Outside of that trio, a majority of Garber’s unit will be new to the varsity level.

Some new faces to look out for making contributions this season include Lexi Fuller, Andrea Mennen, Lilly Meyers and Nora Fitzgerald, just to name a few.

“For the two seniors Brylee and Leslie, and junior Jadyn were the three that saw playing time last year,” Garbers said. “The rest of my group is all new.”

Having an overall youthful roster, Garber aims to see a constant competitive edge from her team, especially the underclassmen. Staying aggressive and continuing to grow are just a handful of team goals she wants to see from her Cardinals this season.

Offensively, the Cardinals are planning to use a 5-1 formation in the first couple of games. This will allow Garber to use a consistent setter to set up potential attacks for the other five hitters on the hardwood.

When the team is not attempting to score, Garber wants to use a perimeter defense to start the season, adjusting accordingly to any mishaps they notice.

Coming off of a disappointing season like Fairmont experienced in 2024 can be daunting for many players and coaches.

Instead of placing lofty goals in the preseason weeks, Garber and her coaching staff want their roster to take the season one game at a time, improving progressively as the year goes on.

“One goal is to win one more game, make it obtainable,” Garber said. “We set a goal of winning five games this season, and I hope to beat that goal.”

Fairmont begins the 2025 campaign on Thursday with a road contest against Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton. The match is set to start at 7:15 p.m. at the JWP High School gymnasium.