In addition to determining matters of depth and rotation that most volleyball teams address at the start of the season, Plano Senior has had another objective: integrating a new coach.

Based on early reports, the process has gone well.

"I've been focused on getting to know the girls and allowing them to get to know me," said Teri Minnis, Plano head coach. "And already I feel like we have all been together for a long time."

Senior setter Audrey Landry replicated those statements.

"We've been meshing well," she said, "and it feels like we've been together for awhile already."

Minnis came to Plano from Little Elm, where she was the head coach for three years, in July following a whirlwind week-long courtship that was necessitated when former Lady Wildcats head coach Jennifer Cron took the helm at Flower Mound Marcus.

"I think we have all reacted well to the situation," said Madi Morell, senior middle blocker. "Finding out in July was tough, but we've worked hard to get to know coach Minnis on and off the court."

Both aspects have been positive thus far.

"Coach Minnis is intense, like most coaches are, but in a good way," said Natalie Fazio, junior right side. "But she is also a good woman off the court. She is funny and always stops to answer questions, whether they are about volleyball or personal stuff."

That level of camaraderie and intensity will be necessary as Plano seeks its first playoff berth since 2009.

"We all feel like we can do well this season," Landry said, "and one of our goals is definitely to make the playoffs."

The Lady Wildcats came close last season, forcing a three-way playoff on the final day of the regular season by defeating Plano West, but failed to capture the last spot. The memories of a season-ending loss to Plano East haven't dissipated for the team's eight returners: Landry, Morell, Fazio, seniors Lauren Stahlman, Ally Birkett, Alicia Hinojos, Sam Seal and junior Aubrey Davis.

"We definitely have an older, more experienced team this year," Morell said. "And I've been playing with most of these girls since we were in ninth grade, if not longer."

"It makes a big difference with any team to have returning players," Minnis added. "But we don't just have returning players, we have several girls back with playing experience."

Much of that experience comes from the hitters.

"We have a great front line," Fazio said. "We have a lot of the same team back from last year, but now we have more experience."

Morell concurs.

"I am very confident in our front line," she said. "We have aggressive girls who want to put the ball down."

Look for Fazio, Seal and Hinojos to be joined on the outside by juniors Haley Harrison and Kylie Long, who is shifting over from middle blocker. Patrolling the middle will be Morell, Birkett and Davis, all of whom are back from last season.

Before getting the ball into a kill position, Plano must play defense, which is where Stahlman and senior Stephanie Burson come in. The liberos will move the ball forward to the setters with the Lady Wildcats operating out of a 6-2 formation because of their size up front. Landry is installed as one of the setters while senior Maegan Barry and junior Sheila Kiley vie for the other spot.

"I think we might end up rotating between whichever one is doing best at the moment," Landry said, "because both those girls are really good."

The battle at that position is not an anomaly. Minnis noted depth and experience across the board, so look for reps by senior right sides Ellen Frawley and Mackenzie Daly during tournament season, which begins Friday at the Duncanville Tournament of Champions.

"We've been going at a good tempo in practice, and the girls have gotten a better idea for what it is I want," Minnis said, "but I don't think we will really shake out the lineup until we get going in these tournaments."

That is also when the Metroplex and state's perception of Plano becomes clearer.

"You always set your goals step by step and Duncanville is a big step in establishing how people think of you," Fazio said. "And we want everyone to know we're good; we have the talent and we have that fight and drive, so we want other teams to know that."

While some teams prefer flying below the radar, Plano has embraced its playoff expectations. District 10-5A, which includes Plano, East, West, Allen, McKinney Boyd and McKinney, play begins Sept. 21.

"The girls are comfortable with our new district," Minnis said. "They have been talking about wanting to make it to the playoffs and are excited about their opportunity to do that, so I am excited too."

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