Panthers Aim To Improve

Last season, Saratoga Lady Panthers volleyball finished 3rd in the 1A Southwest Conference with a record of 4-4. This year, they're hoping to improve on that.

Shayley Love, Saratoga Lady Panthers head coach, said her girls are focused on winning enough games to earn a top regional spot. No easy feat as they compete in the tough 1A Southwest Conference. A conference which, this year, has become even more challenging with the addition of the Ft. Washakie Lady Eagles.

"Every year, our goal is to place as high in the conference as possible so that we get a good seed for regionals," Love said. "Each week, we focus on what we must do to assemble a solid match and win those conference wins. Our conference has some excellent and competitive programs, and I am excited to see where we match up and what we need to improve."

With a deep bench this season, Love is looking to her four seniors-Josie Little, Allie Condict, Madi Johnson and Sophie Diaz-to lead.

"We have a solid group of 22 players, and there is a lot of talent this year, so I am very excited," Love said. "I have been very impressed with my returning seniors who bring their experience to the court."

Love said her hope for the season is to build a robust and solid team ready to compete against the tough programs in their conference.

"We attended a couple of team camps this summer and I was impressed with the growth we saw from beginning to end," Love said. "Once we get into the season, we can work on more specific things and hopefully produce a solid team."

Love said starters could change with what the team had last year. At this point, Love said she doesn't plan to make the official decision yet.

"We have a promising group of upperclassmen and a solid freshman class joining us," said Love. "With our impressive numbers, we will be able to fill positions effectively. We also have a considerable amount of height and speed on our team, which I am particularly excited about."