Young Canes volleyball squad falls to Riverview

BRADENTON — The competitor in Jessica Hinkle comes into every match wanting to win.

But Manatee High’s volleyball coach also knows the cyclical nature of high school sports. So when it comes to this year’s edition of the Hurricanes, she is aware that every match, especially in the early part of the fall, doubles as a learning experience.

Just three of the 14 players on Manatee’s roster have varsity experience, and with no returning starters, Hinkle is still tinkering in search of her starting lineup.

“I think as the year goes on,” Hinkle said, “we’ll figure it out.”

Manatee fell 3-0 to Riverview on Wednesday, losing 25-21, 25-15, 25-23.

But there were some positives. The Canes (1-2) played better as the night rolled on, taking a lead late in Game 3. They fared better when guarding against the Rams’ short game, which hurt Manatee when the two teams met in the preseason.

Most importantly, Hinkle’s young roster got more experience to draw from as the season progresses.

“We grew. They made adjustments,” Hinkle said. “They did what I asked them to do, but there are other things we need to focus on.”

Manatee did show some pluck, drawing even after the Rams opened on a 5-0 run, and then made a similar run in Game 3, taking a 20-17 lead.

“It’s the beginning of the season, and I definitely think we improved a lot on passing,” said senior Paige Pierro, who had three kills and three aces.

“Our offense, still, we need to work on. But it’s getting there.

“As the season goes on, I feel we’re mixing together a little bit better.”

Shelby Knox, one of Manatee’s three seniors, had four kills and two aces.

The Hurricanes host the county tournament this weekend — Friday’s action will be played at Bayshore — which will equip the new-look team with a bevy of opportunities to work and grow together.

And at this point of a long season, with crucial district matches barreling down the pike, that is what Manatee is looking for.

“We just want to get people comfortable,” Hinkle said.

“They haven’t played a long time together, so it’s hard for them to get comfortable with each other and realize that they just have to go out and play.

“I think the key word for our team is consistency — we just want to stay consistent throughout the match, and make sure we’re playing the balls that we play well, and just finishing the match.”