After graduating 11 from the 2015, the 2016 Manchester Boys Varsity Volleyball squad looks much different.  With two returners, the Lancers opened their pre-season versus the Maggie Walker Green Dragons.

Things did not start off as planned for the home team as newcomer and rising twelfth grader, Jonathan Lackey rolled his ankle during warmups and was unable to continue.   

Manchester might not have prevailed in this warmup match but a lot was learned during the scrimmage.  Asking to learn new roles for the team, returrning seniors John Duncan and Andrew Hensley each stepped up and contributed in two vital areas of needs - passing and setting.  The two equally split time at the libero position and the 2nd setter spot in a 6-2 offense. Duncan has 4 kills and 3 assists for his efforts; while both solidified the back row passing.

After spending his sophomore year at the JV level, Morgan Litten had 4 kills and 6 digs in tonight's pre-season contest. 

The story of the night was not the win or the loss, though Maggie Walker would probably argue otherwise, but Manchester's team effort and willingness to accept the challenge in front of them all season and tackle it head on.  Without a single year-round player, the Lancers will have an uphill climb nightly and tonight was no different.  Seven new faces took the court for the first time while the two experienced veterans accepted the duties of learning positions not of choice to help the young Lancers begin their 2016 quest.

The Lancers next travel to Hermitage on Thursday, August 18, 2016 to conclude their pre-season.