By Keith Lair, Staff Writer

Charles Freberg has been coaching at Arcadia for nearly 30 years. In that time, he’s rarely had freshmen on his team, much less let them start. This year, though, there’ll be an exception.

Freshman Lexi Resch will start at outside hitter for the Apaches.

“She will be the best freshman I have had in my career,” Freberg said. “She’s that good. She can do whatever she wants to do. She can hit the lines, hit the angles, block, pass the ball.”

Resch was the MVP in this year’s Junior Olympics age-group tournament. She’s participated in Freberg’s summer program since the third grade.

With Brittney Lee returning, it gives the Apaches two powerful outside hitters.

“She’s playing awfully well,” Freberg said.

Resch, though, isn’t the lone underclassman on the team. Freberg, who lost five starters from last year’s team, has promoted four sophomores – including Kristen Mueller, Allison Stevenson and Jackie Churchill – to varsity.

“They are great athletes,” Freberg said. “They have done special things this summer.”

Arcadia opens its season Sept. 13 at San Gabriel.