The Siuslaw girls volleyball team will play its first match of the Jon Hornung era on Sept. 1 at Philomath.

Hornung, a Siuslaw High School science teacher, was recently named head coach of the Vikings.

"I'm really psyched to be a part of the volleyball program at Siuslaw," Hornung said. "We have a great support system of teachers and community members, and I feel really fortunate that I was selected to continue on the tradition of Siuslaw volleyball."

Hornung replaces Angie Herring, who led the Vikings to an 11-9 record last fall and a No. 14 ranking among Oregon School Activities Association 4A schools.

Siuslaw loses four players to graduation, including three starters, setter Hannah Bartlett, middle blocker-outside hitter Taylor Dotson and libero Ali Scheer, as well as Belgium exchange student Anna Minten.

"I've had the pleasure of teaching many of the girls on the team, and they're an incredible group that I'm constantly amazed by," Hornung said.

Top returnees are expected to be all-league middle blockers Elyssa Rose, a senior-to-be, and sophomore-to-be Makenzie York.

Junior-to-be Emma Collins was an honorable mention all-league choice for the Vikings at outside hitter.

Other key returnees include seniors-to-be HannahLeah Jakobsen and Claire Waggoner, both outside hitters, and senior-to-be Abby Watkins, a defensive specialist.

Defensive specialist Maci Wells, a junior-to-be, played well at libero last season when Scheer was out with an injury.

"I'm excited to get in the gym and start playing again," Hornung said. "I can't wait to see this group of young women continue the success that I've witnessed in my classroom."

The first day of practice is Monday, Aug. 15.

The Vikings' 2016 schedule:

• Thursday, Sept. 1 — vs. Junction City at Philomath, 4 p.m., nonleague
• Tuesday, Sept. 6 — Elmira and Waldport, 4 p.m., nonleague
• Thursday, Sept. 8 — Philomath, 6:30 p.m., nonleague
  
• Saturday, Sept. 10 — Cottage Grove, 6:30 p.m., nonleague
  
• Tuesday, Sept. 13 — South Umpqua, 6:30 p.m., Far West League opener
• Thursday, Sept. 15 — vs. Marshfield at Coos Bay, 6:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Sept. 20 — Brookings-Harbor, 6:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Sept. 22 — Douglas, 6:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 24 — vs. Hidden Valley at Cottage Grove, 6:30 p.m., nonleague
• Tuesday, Sept. 27 — at North Bend, 6:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Sept. 29 — vs. South Umpqua at Tri City, 6:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 4 — Marshfield, 6:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 6 — at Brookings-Harbor, 6:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 11 — vs. Douglas at Winston, 6:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 13 — North Bend, 6:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 15 — Marshfield Tournament at Coos Bay, time, teams to be announced

NOTES

Much of Hornung's playing and coaching experience comes from his years in Wisconsin. He was a member of Milwaukee's North Shore Volleyball Club, which won the Junior Olympic 14-and-under boys division in 2000. ... Hornung also coached the Raider Volleyball Club in Wauwatosa, WI. ...

League matches are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. next fall, a half hour later than last season ...