As the dawn of the 2023 season approaches, the Mehlville girls volleyball team is hoping that a new coach and a solid returning core of players will quickly erase last year’s woes. The Panthers were 2-18 overall with their two wins of the season coming against Affton.

Enter Tom O’Toole, a 1995 grad of Mehlville who played club volleyball for the Panthers. He is now coming back to MHS after coaching club volleyball for the past six seasons.

“We’ve got nowhere to go but up from here,” O’Toole said. “I’m excited and looking forward to the challenge from the school pride aspect of the game. The key for us is to take small steps to get better each day and to go from there.”

Senior middle hitter Nerma Hrsic looks to lead the Panthers to victory in 2023. The senior captain is a player that everyone on the team looks to for leadership and guidance since practices started earlier this month.

“Nerma is the one that everyone on the team looks up to,” O’Toole said. “She’s a good blocker/attacker and is always at the right place at the right time. She’s a veteran that knows what she needs to do out there on the court.”

Also seeing time at middle hitter is junior Ari Lilton.

“Ari is someone that’s gotten better already since I’ve met her,” O’Toole said. “She’s gotten more aggressive and looks more comfortable on the court.”

Sophomore libero Adrianna Mask is another player that will factor heavily in the Panther’s success this season.

“She’s a tough kid that hangs in there no matter how hard the ball is sent to her,” O’Toole said. “She puts us in a position to make an attack on the ball every time she gets the opportunity.”

Taking on the setter role again this season is sophomore Irelynn Stover.

“Irelynn also plays soccer so she’s very intense,” O’Toole said. “She’s always working hard on the court.”

Juniors Ava Sherman and Audrey Bailey will see time at the outside hitter position and serve as floor captains for the team.

“Ava is strong and aggressive and one of the biggest attack weapons we have out there,” O’Toole said. “Audrey is a stabilizing force that keeps everything together and is someone that puts in the hard work all year round.”

Also seeing time at right side hitter and outside hitter is senior Emma Angeles.

“Emma is a pleasant surprise on the roster and fits the outside hitter/right side hitter position perfectly,” O’Toole said. “It’s good that we have more senior leadership with her on the team this year.”

Another senior to watch in 2023 is Lucki Vannoy.

“Lucki can also play libero if needed,” O’Toole said. “She’s the kind of player that gets the team together and is just a good personality to have on the roster.”

The Panthers are set to open the 2023 season at home against Lindbergh tonight, Thursday, Aug. 31st.