Chelsea Herrera is hoping to get the East Union volleyball team in the right direction in this her third year as Lancers coach with 15 other seasons under her belt.
Although last season’s 4-8 Valley Oak League, 6-12 overall record was not what one would call stellar, it represented an improvement from the previous year. With a pair of returning junior standouts in Savannah LeBarre and Miekayla Surnip to form a nucleus, Herrera looks to other juniors coming up for a solid squad. 
“All my seniors from last were key losses,” Herrera said. “But with some juniors that are coming up, along with returning juniors Savannah LeBarre and Miekayla Surnip, they are a pretty tight clan.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing what this year’s team does when they work together and have one common goal. As long as they remember we are a family, it should be a pretty fun year.”
A junior, this is LeBarre’s third year on the varsity.
“I think this year is going to be fun,” LeBarre said. "We have a team that meshes well and we all get along.
“Our energy is always up and we are very competitive.”
Also a junior, Surnip will be the other part of the East Union one-two punch.
“Things are looking great," Surnip said. "We bond well and we are looking forward to a good season.
“We have the potential to go far this year.”
The Lancers open on the road Friday, Aug. 23, at Liberty Ranch in Galt and begin league play in Tracy against Kimball on Tuesday, Sept. 10.