The Cambridge volleyball team will hold tryouts from May 11-13 in the main gym after school.

With no tryouts last year due to the pandemic, there was not a lot of competition for spots on the team, but this year, the coaches will be able to analyze new players coming in, as well as returning players.

Sophomore Allie Otto, who has been on the varsity team since freshman year, said she is excited to have tryouts again.

“I love tryouts,” said Otto. “I feel like they’re a great way to see new talent that comes in every year.”

Otto said that during tryouts, the coaches hold two scrimmages: one for prospective players and one for players on the previous season’s roster.

Girls’ Volleyball Head Coach Melissa Little, who teaches math, comes in every year with a blank slate to pick new players for the team.

“Each season we look at the team as having completely open spots that the girls must compete for and earn,” said Little. “We use a scoring rubric through tryouts to evaluate each player on the same skills.”

The varsity team had 10 girls this year’s season and four of them will be gone next year. The potential for so many new players means that bonding as a team will be crucial.

“It’s important to establish a good connection at the beginning of the season because it carries on throughout the short amount of time we have,” said junior Kinsey Holmen.

Little said she thinks returning with a lineup that has more experience will help improve on last season’s record.

“Our seniors last season were a tremendous part of improving the records from four wins the season before, and we will miss their leadership and playing experience,” said Little.

Despite losing some experienced players, Little expressed optimism about next year’s roster.

“We do have some solid younger players that were a big part of improving on the previous record as well that will be returning this year,” said Little.

The upcoming season will start at the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year on Aug. 9.