Summerland volleyball welcomes a new coach in the team’s sophomore season.

Rachael Cheatum takes the helm for the Bobcats. She is assisted by Sierra Summers, Katie Koenig and Gina Koenig, volunteer assistant.

Cheatum is no stranger to the sport.

“I’ve probably been coaching for 10 to 12 years,” she said. Cheatum has coached youth, junior high and club teams.

Four letter winners return to the 2020 team. They were part of the state-qualifying team led by Suz Funk.

With health measures in place, Cheatum said players have stepped up to meet the precautions in place.

“Girls are wearing masks on the vans and at games when they’re not playing, some are voluntarily wearing them at school to try to limit their chance of exposure,” she said. “They all want to play and are willing to do it to make the season last as long as possible.”

The season begins Thursday, with a triangular in Tilden.

Cheatum expects next week’s triangular with Central Valley and CWC to be “great competition.”

Jamboree games

Brenna Wagner nailed eight kills and landed three aces against Riverside. In the nightcap, Hadley Cheatum landed eight kills and Taelyn Switzer earned six blocks against Boone Central.