Front row, from left, Rachel Stubbs, Ember Yeary, Amber Stubbs and Ryley Henrie. Middle row, from left, Riley Little, Shiann Finney, Katie Russell, Grace Tieszen and Lindsie Farber. Back row, from left, Noelle Peterson, Takoda Pedersen, Lauren Buford, Paige Powell, Taylor Huntley and Cheyanne Jordan. Not pictured, Hailey Barkhurst.
Encampment High School's girls' volleyball team began practice the week before school started with hopes of improving on last year's success.
Last year, the team started out the season with an uninterrupted string of victories, but in an emotional loss at the state finals in Casper, the team lost its footing and took third in the state. For students this year, the goal is to reprise their appearance at state and this time take home the championship, the team's head coach Robin O'Leary said.
This year, the ladies' motto is, "Don't let winning go to your head, don't let losing go to your heart."
After a few practice sessions in the days before the official beginning of school and the season, O'Leary said she is still working with members of the team to learn about their strengths and assign players to the position most complimentary to their abilities.
With only three days since practice began for the team, O'Leary said, "We started with fundamentals and we're undecided with positions. We're still getting a feel for the girls and looking at team chemistry."
This year, 16 players came out for the team, and among them are five freshmen, O'Leary said. Getting to grips with player skills and aptitudes to determine positions for players is important, as the team lost several star players from last year's roster due to graduation.
"We don't know who will be in what positions yet," O'Leary said. "We'll know more after the Saratoga tournament," referring to the team's first scheduled game of the regular season at the Saratoga Invite, scheduled to be held Aug. 25-26.
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