ROCHELLE — The Lady Hubs split into four teams and played a classic game of “USA” before ending their annual high school summer camp Tuesday morning at Rochelle Township High School. But there was something different about the four groups that took the court to face off against each other in side-by-side team battles.

Rather than having all the varsity players on one team, or all the freshmen and sophomores on another, Rochelle varsity coach John Pfaff mixed his players together to form equal groups of both experienced and new players, something he hasn’t been able to do in past years. With more depth this time around, Pfaff and the Lady Hubs are looking to take a big step forward when the regular season begins this fall.

“I think they look good,” Pfaff said. “We have really good numbers and we have a lot of good varsity kids playing right now. Some years we’ve been heavy on freshmen or heavy on juniors, but this year we’re really balanced and when we’re scrimmaging over the last 30 or 40 minutes of camp… They’re being really competitive.”

Rochelle faced a myriad of tough opponents in 2016, finishing 8-24-2 overall with three victories over conference rival Ottawa. But reinforcements are on the way, as several varsity players are expected to return this fall while many rising juniors will aim to carry on their success at the sophomore level, where they went 22-9 overall.

Senior setter Jacie Wyatt will look to quarterback the Rochelle offense after leading the team in assists last season, and senior middle hitters Alexis Crawford and Morgan Knight are projected to anchor the team’s defensive frontline.

“This is Jacie’s third year setting varsity so we’re hoping that she’s more comfortable with that,” Pfaff said. “Last year was a trial-by-fire for Morgan and Alexis when we threw them in the middle against varsity players so we’re hoping they can take that next step up.”

But the Lady Hubs will have some holes to fill including starting spots at libero, and outside hitter. After the graduation of key players such as Ali VanVickle, Pfaff will be looking for juniors Emma Mehrings, and Grace Orlikowski to headline Rochelle’s attack on the corners. Mehrings and Orlikowski led the sophomore team in kills last season.

Junior Sarah Craven led the sophomores in digs, and Craven could fill the void at libero left by graduating senior Paige Myroth. With a large roster and few starting positions available, it will be tough competition for the Lady Hubs as the regular season approaches.

“Last year I had to scrape 8 or 9 kids together to play summer league,” Pfaff said. “Last night I had 15 and I was trying to get everybody in to give them a shot and see what they can and can’t do. Everybody plays in summer league but not everybody is going to play when it comes to matches, so hopefully they can really push themselves.”