The Marshalltown volleyball team graduated eight seniors from last year’s squad, meaning this year’s unit is going to have to gain experience together.

The Bobcats won’t have time to build up for Iowa Alliance Conference play, because that’s where the schedule starts.

Second-year head coach Jen O’Neal and her squad have spent plenty of time together, practicing and team-building, but nothing will be the same as when the fans start to file in at the Roundhouse. The Bobcats open their season tonight at home against Fort Dodge, and that’s when they’ll find out exactly what they’ve got.

O’Neal can’t wait for the big reveal.

“We went to some team camps but we didn’t have everybody, so we got glimpes of some things, but this will be our first real test with our core varsity kids to see how it goes,” O’Neal said. “The biggest goal for the seniors is they want this to be a very memorable season and a positive one.”

Middle hitter Harper Wilson, outside hitter Kinsley Bowie and defensive specialist Gianna Baune are the natural-born leaders for O’Neal’s bunch, and they’ve taken it upon themselves to set the tone in practice.

“They came to me in May and said ‘this is how we want it to be,’ O’Neal said. “‘We want a really good culture, we want everyone to get along, we want no drama, and we will lead that,’ which is really great. That’s what you want out of your seniors.”

It will take a grand gesture of leadership to get the Bobcats going this season after graduating so much of last year’s statistical leaders. Marshalltown’s loss to graduation include seven of its top eight attackers, six of its top seven blockers or passers, it’s top six ace servers and both setters.

It’s a lot of fresh faces, but O’Neal likes the parts she has to work with. The sum might even make MHS greater than the whole.

“Right now we have three seniors, three juniors that will be dressing and seeing a lot of varsity time, and then we have some sophomores and a true freshman,” O’Neal said. “We’re kind of young and inexperienced … but the work they’ve been putting in right now and the things we’ve been doing, we’re improving and we can see it every day.”

Outside hitter Bella Avise, setter Lauren O’Neal and middle hitter Kendall Brummel make up the junior class, while the sophomores are Anela and Lorelai Villarreal, Morgan Hilderbrand, Chloe Hoogensen and Claire Bonzer. Brooklyn Smith will see court time as a freshman as well, mixing in at middle or right-side hitter.

“Lauren and Kinsley are the two coming in with the most experience, so I’m really looking to them for their leadership,” coach O’Neal said.

O’Neal will be the team’s full-time setter, with Bowie and Avise aligning on the outside or right side to get a high percentage of the team’s attacks. Wilson, Brummel and Smith will see time in the middle, while the Villarreal twins will play across the front row. Hoogensen is expected to contribute on the right side, while Hilderbrand and Bonzer are defensive specialists who will work in at the service line too.

“For now, one of the things we talk about in practice is that we have a lot of flexibility all season,” coach O’Neal said. “We don’t want anybody on the varsity to get comfortable. We have somebody pushing people at every position and I love that. We need that, and they would tell you they’re not mad about it.

“That’s the kind of standard that we’ve set and the kids are working, they’re working hard.”

Marshalltown’s first three dates are at home, starting with Fort Dodge followed by Des Moines Hoover on Sept. 2. The Apgar Tournament is on Sept. 4.

“Obviously you never step out on the court and not want to win,” coach O’Neal said, “but the thing that I think this has that maybe we didn’t have last year is they’re not really worried about playing anyone. I think that mindset is really going to help them as we just continue to grow.”