DAPHNE, Alabama — The 10-time defending state champion Bayside Academy Lady Admirals shoved off into the deep and often stormy waters of Alabama high school volleyball again this week. No doubt intent on returning once more with another state crown and banner.

The 2012 version starts where they all started, on the hallowed hardwood of Louise Moorer Gymnasium on the Bayside Academy campus. The first day of practice is not often the best, even for a double-digit-defending state champ. But at least there’s room for improvement.

“It was kind of ugly, the first day, even for a first day,” head coach Ann Schilling said. “But we are going to work hard on everything. Right now I’m concerned about our ball control, or lack of it. We really have to make more progress soon or it will hurt us. But I think we’re getting there. I have seen some improvement since that first practice, but need to see more. We want to have a really good year, of course. Play consistently and get better every time we step on the court. That’s what we want to accomplish and things like staying healthy always play into it.”

Schilling lost only one player to graduation in starting libero Victoria Smith and said the job vacancy remains open for now, but she may run a different defense which relies on the libero less.

“We’re going to miss Victoria’s passing and serving. We will probably use the libero position a little bit differently. Somebody will be in the uniform jersey, but it may not be like the last couple of years where (Smith) went in automatically. We are going to try some girls and see what happens.”

Younger players like Lauren Chastang, Ariel Dulaney and Madison Matthews, will see more varsity action this year along with more seasoned veterans like seniors Gabby Deshotel and Virginia Pittman, juniors Jhalen Caffey, Morgan Dulaney, Harper Morrison and Rebecca Todd.

Bayside will host an official’s jamboree Saturday at 9 a.m. About 10 varsity and eight junior varsity teams will take part.

The Lady Admirals open the season at Schilling’s alma mater McGill-Toolen Catholic in Mobile at 6 p.m., Aug. 23 and hope to repeat last year’s opening-day sweep of the 6A powerhouse Dirty Dozen.

“It’s always exciting to play McGill,” she said. “Of course for us the big thing is to measure ourselves against the best teams we can find to play. They are always good and they are always out to beat us, especially after we beat them here last year. So the atmosphere will be like a championship match. It always is.”