It has been a long time since East Union has won a Valley Oak League girls volleyball championship.

A glance high on the wall of Dalben Center shows seven league titles from 1986 to 1997, and none since then. Following last year’s fourth-place VOL finish, incoming long-time local coach Tevani Liotard hopes to turn the Lancers ship around.

“Last year’s team was a roller coaster, but I have a good core of four returning seniors,” Liotard said. “Katelynn Trevino, Meritiana Luani, Marcella Carranza and Giselle Velasquez will see a lot of playing time.

“I don’t know what to expect, but I am here not only as a coach but to get them better. I feel this is my freshmen year at Delta getting ready for the season with the unknowns of how the season will play out. As a coach, I am ready.”

Outside hitter Luani will be a four-year varsity player.

“I am very excited for this year,” Luani said. Especially since it is my last one.

“I have seen a lot of talent so I am really excited to see how it all plays out.”

Carranza is the setter and this will be her third year on the varsity.

“As the setter, I strive to be a leader whenever I am out there,” Carranza said. “I am very comfortable with the girls on the team this year. They are very vocal with what they want so it helps me get them the sets they want.”

Liotard started the Sierra program in 1993 and coached there through 2009 before leaving for Modesto Junior College for two seasons.

This year’s squad was still in diapers when Liotard left Sierra, and she is well aware that her old style of coaching has needed some tweaking.

“The kids are different now,” Liotard said. “My coaching style had to change.

“Before, I would bark and yell, now I just walk up to them and tell them what they need to do. Kids don’t respond to the yelling and screaming that we grew up with.”

The Lancers will travel to Stockton to face Weston Ranch on Tuesday, Aug. 27, to kick off the season at 6:30 p.m.