LA PLATA, Md. — After three seasons coaching the La Plata High School junior varsity volleyball team, Susan Peterson is stepping into a new role this fall with an experienced roster and a clear vision for the Warriors’ varsity program.
Peterson, whose daughter began playing at La Plata three years ago, has coached JV throughout that time before taking over as varsity head coach this season.
“I’ve been with the program for the past three years,” Peterson told The BayNet. “My daughter started three years ago as a freshman, so I coached JV the past three years and then just took over varsity this year.”
Peterson enters the season optimistic about what La Plata can accomplish, pointing to a roster that she believes is more balanced than those she has coached in previous seasons.
The Warriors finished 6-8 last season and will open the 2026 season Aug. 27 at Gwynn Park.
“We’re looking really good,” Peterson said. “We’re solid pretty much throughout the whole lineup. This is like the first year we’re pretty balanced throughout.”
One of Peterson’s primary objectives is to increase the tempo of La Plata’s offense while making use of the team’s variety of attacking options.
The Warriors also want to become a tougher defensive team, with Peterson emphasizing hustle and the belief that every ball can be played.
“I think just trying to kind of focus on scrappiness and hustle and increasing the tempo of the offense a little bit,” Peterson said.
For Peterson, being scrappy means more than simply chasing down difficult balls. She wants players to trust the teammate next to them and be prepared to provide support on every play.
The Warriors have spent the offseason working on conditioning, agility and plyometric training while also holding organized practices and open gyms. Peterson also provided players with a weight-training routine to complete independently.
One area the Warriors have focused on is developing the connection between their setters and hitters.
With five seniors and seven juniors on the roster, Peterson has plenty of experience to work with. However, getting everyone on the court together during the offseason proved difficult because of college visits, travel and other activities.
The roster’s experience and size could ultimately become two of its biggest advantages.
“We have a pretty big team this year,” Peterson said. “We have a lot more height than we have in years past, so that’s a plus.”
Peterson hopes that added size translates into stronger blocking while also allowing La Plata to maintain a versatile offense that does not depend on one player.
Defensively, she believes some of the team’s less-heralded players could become important pieces.
“I’m really hoping that our defense really steps up,” Peterson said. “We’ve got some maybe underdogs on defense, but I think they’re really going to be the heart of this team.”
La Plata will face a competitive Southern Maryland Athletic Conference schedule, including matchups against Northern, Westlake, Huntingtown, Calvert and Leonardtown. The 2026 schedule also includes games against Great Mills, McDonough, Thomas Stone, Chopticon, North Point and Lackey.
Peterson expects the conference’s established programs to remain difficult opponents but believes other teams could emerge as surprises.
Against the conference’s top teams, Peterson said La Plata will need to rely on hustle, grit and the ability to keep pushing after difficult points.
Peterson also wants her experienced players to become more comfortable making decisions on the court rather than constantly looking toward the coaching staff for direction.
“I want them to start taking over and having that confidence,” Peterson said. “That’s the reason why they play sports in the first place, is to kind of develop that confidence in themselves and each other.”
She has encouraged the Warriors to take risks and try the things they have practiced, even if doing so occasionally results in mistakes.
“I want them trying things,” Peterson said. “I want them being risky. I want them being okay with making mistakes when it’s because they are trying to be more aggressive in their style of play, instead of playing it safe.”
Peterson wants players to be accountable to themselves and their teammates while putting the team ahead of individual accomplishments.
Her message extends to the parents and the La Plata community, as well.
Peterson wants parents to support the entire team rather than focusing solely on their own children.
“The name on the front of your jersey is more important than the name on the back of your jersey,” Peterson said.
For Peterson, that team-first mentality is ultimately what high school sports should be about: building relationships, developing confidence and giving athletes the opportunity to enjoy being part of something bigger than themselves.
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