RAMONA GLATZEL brings playoff experience to the BHS volleyball team.

Benicia High’s varsity volleyball team enjoyed its most successful season in school history last year, going unbeaten in the Solano County Athletic Conference and reaching the semifinals of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III playoffs.

But only one Lady Panther starter returns and Benicia must find a way to replace graduated Cassidy Jannson, Megan Osterholt and Eden Fukushima – three of the best players to ever put on a Benicia volleyball uniform.

“They know they have big shoes to fill but I think they’re motivated by that,” head coach Jamie Hadenfeldt said of her 2015 club. “They want to do the best they can to keep Benicia’s reputation in volleyball going.”

Junior libero Ramona Glatzel is the only starter back from a team that lost in five sets to eventual SJS champion El Camino in last November’s semifinals. Glatzel played club volleyball with Jannson and former teammate Kellie Sluga over the summer and will be looked upon for leadership this season.

“She kept herself in good volleyball shape and has always been an easy-going person,” Hadenfeldt said of Glatzel. “She gets along with everybody and is a consistent, experienced player.”

Most of Benicia’s offense graduated last spring, so Hadenfeldt hopes veterans Charlotte Cannizzaro and Lana Gore can help pick up the slack. Gore’s 95 kills last year are the most of any returning player, and Cannizzaro is a versatile net player who can play the left side, right side or middle. Veterans Jessica Blakeman and Taylor Lokey are also capable of providing some offense, as is junior Semele Hargis, who played junior varsity last season. Sophomore Emily Maher, who got called up to varsity for last year’s playoff run, is another potential offensive threat.

Defense is Benicia’s strength with Glatzel, veteran Taylor Lewis and newcomer Natalie Sluga holding down the back line. Sophomore Karah Fisher is the team’s new setter, with senior Lexi Saitz also expected to see lots of time at setter.

“The team has a lot of growing to do but they had some really good role models last year,” Hadenfeldt said. “They were able to see firsthand what it takes to go as far as we did last year and they have a good mindset.”

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