Virginia Fitch
& Sophie Palles
Sanderson volleyball

Sanderson seniors Virginia Fitch (left) and Sophie Palles believe this is the year the Lady Spartans' volleyball program finally turns heads in the Cap-7 Conference. It won't be easy, but the duo cite Sanderson's improved athleticism, good work ethic and camaraderie for the change.

See what Palles and Fitch had to say for themselves during a recent interview with NorthRaleighSports.com.

What are some strengths entering this season?
Virginia Fitch: I think we have good blocking, but more than that we have a lot of heart. We will go for anything, and it shows what we are made of.

What is this team like?
VF: We get along really well. And I think we have some very good athletes. We have a tall team, but we're still athletic. And a lot of our girls like to play, we have four or five girls that play club volleyball.

What have the last three years at Sanderson been like?
Sophie Palles: I have been on varsity all three years, and my freshman year we actually had a pretty good team. But since we have done so well. We've had a few different coaches. And we didn't play very well, but I think this year can be different.

Should expectations be high?
VF: Definitely
SP: Definitely. Hopefully we can get to the finals of the Cap-7 — at least. Then we want to make a pretty decent run in the state playoffs.

How competitive is the Cap-7?
SP: For high school [volleyball] it is pretty decent. And our class is a really good class. There are several girls in our grade who will be playing in college.

What is new head coach Stephanie Rhodes like?
SP: She is really big on working hard.
VF: And everybody working together and not as individual. She wants us to play as a team.

Is this a close-knit team?
VF: I think we like each other lot.
SP: We actually had a beach trip [to Myrtle Beach] for all the seniors this year and it was great.
VF: I think it brought all of us together.

Which opponent is your biggest rival?
VF: There are a couple. Broughton and Enloe. I think they are everybody's rival across the board. They are good competitors.

How have you done against them?
VF: Umm, decently.

What would you like to improve on?
VF: I don't think there is a lot of we have to improve on. It's more that we have to figure out how to put everybody's skills together. And play as a team.

Any predictions on the season?
VF: Right now I think we will be pretty good. But it could shake out differently. No matter how we finish though everybody should be proud of our accomplishments.

Sanderson kicks off its volleyball schedule Monday, Aug. 17, hosting Cary. The Lady Spartans' first conference game is Sept. 1 at Enloe.