Up For the Challenge

Last year, Encampment Lady Tigers volleyball finished fourth in the 1A Southwest Conference with a record of 1-7 and a 9-11 overall record.

This year, the Lady Tigers are focusing on improving their record and setting goals to win more games than last year. Janice Peterson, head coach of the Encampment Lady Tigers, said her team has set high expectations for themselves.

"I believe we will be contenders this year," Peterson said. "We have four seniors leading this team with two juniors who have been contributing in many different ways for us. We have come together as a team this week in practice, and I am excited to see what they can do."

Peterson said, with all her team's talent, the Lady Tigers' hitting power will make them a formidable opponent on the court.

"Our girls bring a lot of energy to the floor, and when they do, they are fun to watch," Peterson said. "We have senior Kyenna Jackson, a returning all-conference player, hitting the ball exceptionally well. Our other seniors are Eckerley Pickett-who hits hard-and Kristie Jordan, who has found her rhythm in hitting along with Savannah Fagan. We have a lot of options and weapons to attack defenses."

Peterson said she sees the Lady Tigers going far this season if they continue to bring the same momentum they did for the first week of practice.

"Our goal is to play on the blue floor in Casper come November," Peterson said. "I genuinely believe if this group of girls continues to improve each day, stay positive and bring a lot of energy they will upset some teams. Our girls will play in Casper this year if they continue to bring energy and the ability to work together and do what is best for the team."

Even with that monument, they'll still have to work through the 1A Southwest Conference, which is filled with tough competition. A historically tough conference, this year it has an added challenge as the conference has gone to six teams with the addition of the Ft. Washakie Lady Eagles.

"Our conference is the toughest in the state without any doubt," Peterson said. "Little Snake River is returning strong with their players, and it will be a tough battle for us. I think we will match up with them better than we did last year. Cokeville is always a tough, scrappy team, and so are Saratoga and Farson-Eden. Everyone in the 1A Southwest Conference will give us a battle, which is fun because games will be closer, and the crowd will enjoy watching every game this season."

The last time Encampment won a state title was in 2015 and they were a state runner-up in 2017. Since then, the program seems to have been in a rebuilding phase.

"They all lead in different ways; some are a little bit quieter, and we have a few vocal players," Peterson said. "The leadership ability of these girls is that they are just starting to figure out their role. Regarding communication leadership, our junior, Regin Stewart, is vocal and positive and builds her team up. It is nice that all the kids on the team contribute to leadership and not just one player. The whole team works on leading in different ways, and it makes us stronger as a team."