THE MARIPOSA COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR VARSITY VOLLEYBALL TEAM HAS STARTED THE SEASON STRONG WITH WINS OVER MINARETS, LIVINGSTON AND SUMMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOLS. GAZETTE PHOTO BY JILL BALLINGER Junior varsity volleyball coach Erika Smith is pretty pumped about this year’s campaign.

“I think we are going to have an awesome JV team,” Smith said Wednesday morning after her squad recorded its third straight win of the season.

Mariposa opened the season with a scrimmage against Minarets last Thursday and handily dispatched the visitors. It followed that with 2-0 wins over Livingston last Friday, Summerville on Monday, and Yosemite High School in Oakhurst Tuesday.

“I have five sophomores and five freshman, and they are coming together quickly,” Smith said.

Kelsey Blecha is the setter and Alex Bauer is a key defender and will be the team’s libero. Aubrey Spurlin is playing at every position, as is Shea Williams, whose hitting has set her apart from her teammates. Claire Bullis is expected to be a standout defender.

“Claire is a whole level above where girls her age usually are at this stage. She has great anticipation, and she’s already at the varsity level in her ability to see the whole court and anticipate what’s coming,” Smith said.

A number of other girls are vying for starting positions in what Smith believes will be a very successful season.