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TOMBSTONE — With many upperclassmen without much varsity experience, the Tombstone volleyball team is looking at a rebuilding season this year.
After losing prominent senior hitter Nikki Martinez midway through last season when she collided with teammate Jasmine Franks in a game against Thatcher, the Yellowjackets are hoping for an injury-free year to revive the program.
“I was out for three weeks,” Franks said. “And then I was out again because I rolled my ankle.”
Franks’ sister, junior Trina Franks, was an underclassmen last year who was able to fill part of the void left by Martinez.
  
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“We could put her at any position, she really stepped up,” coach Dan Romero said. “I’ll be moving up a lot of young girls this year.”
In the beginning weeks of practice, Romero said he’s trying to teach communication between players and better passing.
“We’ll be working on passing from now to the end of the season,” Romero said.
Senior Cheri Aitken said she’s confident in this year’s squad because they’ll have a healthy Jasmine Franks back in the lineup fulltime, plus the team has some added height.
“I’m anxious to see how far we go,” she said. “We definitely communicate a lot better and help each other out.”
Aitken is one of Tombstone’s strong returners, along with senior Laurie Devere. Junior Stepheny Vos and Jasmine Franks will be taking most duties at setter.
Last year, the Yellowjackets advanced to the regional tournament, despite losing to Bisbee in the final regular season game. Tombstone ended the regular season 2-8 in the region and 6-12 overall. The team went on to lose to Benson in the first regional match.
Even with a little more height moved up to the varsity, and while waiting on the height that lies in the junior varsity, Romero will still be relying heavily on his experienced upper classmen to lead the team.
“Last year, we came out strong, and improved from game one until Thatcher,” he said.
“One play, and boom, it was done. This year, communication will be the key.”
Tombstone began its season at San Carlos last Tuesday and won the match 3 games to 2.
The Yellowjackets’ first home game will be Tuesday against St. David at 6 p.m. at the campus of the new school on Yellowjacket Way.
A fellow student of tombstone. wrote on Aug 31, 2008 6:03 PM: