It's all back to fundamentals for the Stonewall Jackson varsity volleyball team.

First-year coach Katie Spina took over from long-time Stonewall staple Matt Heyman this year, inheritating a team in search of a new leader.

"Well, Katie's more with the girls," explained senior Megan McDaniel. "Heyman... knew what he wanted and now he wanted us to do it. If we didn't do a specific thing, you know, we wouldn't really wouldn't focus on a whole bunch of volleyball stuff. He would kind of be like, 'Let's do this...'

"If we don't do something right" with Spina, McDaniel said, "she'll make us work for it."

Spina expects her players to do the typical things any coach asks: maintain good grades, have respect for authority and players, etc.

But the players are also aware that they up-and-coming Raiders look up to them, said returning veteran Skye Square. After all, Raider games are well known for a loud cheering section brought on mostly by the freshman and junior varsity teams.

"You want them to go from the start push hard all the way because it matters. Once you step on that court, it matters; it's life or death. And it's the same thing with life. You've got to go at it, face every challenge as you possibly can," said Square.

Setting the example for teammates off the court would be McDaniel and returning libero Samantha Bohn, both of whom earned spots on the 2008-09 honor roll.

On the court, Spina is asking front-row players Square and teammate Katherine Sherrill to lead defensively with a concentration on securing blocks.

"I want them to get blocking down to... make a major impact on our team," said Spina.

Even with a a 1-3 start to the season, Spina noticed improvements from her front row.

"They're understanding that they need to get their hands over, that they need to get to the ball and make sure that they follow their hitters. There are still some bad habits that we need to break, but I mean, it is early in the season," she said.

Bohn is responsible for holding down the back row and delivering passes to the team's setters. In a 3-1 loss to Brentsville District last week, she earned a team-high 31 digs.

"She has some off points but then she'll get right back up," said McDaniel, adding that Bohn is strongest at passing. "She doesn't get intimidated easily."