Raring to go

"We are very fortunate that 21 girls decided to play volleyball this year," Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow (HEM) High School Head Coach Jackie Jones said. "What I think is really exciting for us, there is not a senior in the bunch."

She said having the unanticipated success the girls team had going into the finals last year has prompted the turnout. It is the largest group Jones has ever had at her disposal in years.

Jones said going into the season, her team focuses on goal setting.

"The girls are very realistic in setting attainable goals," Jones said. "Absolutely, our eye is at the end of the season and I would be lying to say otherwise. The core group of this team, along with the players coming along, they set a goal and assess how it was met or not met."

Jones said the team is starting with a tournament in Lingle. She wants the team to focus on doing well there and not worry about how winning or losing will effect them at this point in the season.

"If we are already thinking about regionals, then we are missing the boat," Jones said.

"Especially for these varsity girls, they have to be tuning themselves in to what has to happen, and they know what it takes to where we got last year."

Jones said she understands the expectations are high for this team after last year.

"We are not a team that says 'we better be there again or it is all a loss'," Jones said. "We are team that is going to continue to develop number one as a a team and the individuals and what they can do will make us better all around."

Jones said the Lady Miners will be attending three tournaments before regionals. She said there will be opportunity to play 2A teams.

"We do this to match up against competition we have never seen before, and its great for the team and coach to have to learn to adjust," Jones said. "It makes us ask ourselves how tough are we mentally to fix what needs to be fixed."

Jones said the Lady Miners are raring to go.