www.johnsonpublications.zenfolio.com Brooke Robertson | Johnson Publications
Members of the 2018 Perkins County volleyball team are (front row, l-r): Macey Cole, student manager; Hannah Kempf, Makenzie Toner, Emma Schrotberger, Aryn Seiler, Maddy Ingold and Meghan Bishop. Back row: Coach Monica Cole, Patricia Loy, Hallie Fisher, Rylee Huff, Danielle Burge, Bella Fraizer, Miah Long, Samantha Patrick, Juels Lyon and Kristen Bullock. Not pictured: Autumn Anderson, Kylie Tucker and Coach Brooke Lee.
Young Lady Plainsmen ready for season opener
The Lady Plainsmen volleyball team is preparing for their 2018 season with several new faces and coaching changes.
Newly appointed Head Coach Monica Cole enters her 10th year with the team in the lead role after having served as an assistant for the past nine years.
She will be joined by Assistant Coach Brooke Lee.
Cole and Lee coached together as assistants from 2010 to 2014 under Head Coach Penny Hite.
“I am really excited to have Coach Lee on my coaching team again,” said Cole.
“As coaches, we are looking forward to seeing the growth in these girls from day one to the end of the season.”
The Lady Plainsmen have three returning starters including seniors, Aryn Seiler and Emma Schrotberger and sophomore, Dani Burge.
Also returning to the team this year are juniors, Bella Fraizer and Makenzie Toner and sophomores, Miah Long, Rylee Huff and Hannah Kempf.
The eight upper-classmen welcome nine freshmen to the team this season including Autumn Anderson, Kylie Tucker, Maddy Ingold, Meghan Bishop, Patricia Loy, Hallie Fisher, Samantha Patrick, Juels Lyon and Kristen Bullock.
“So far this season, our practices have consisted of working on team bonding, fundamentals and learning to play the game for these young girls,” Cole said.
In addition to fundamentals, Cole has her team focusing on intensity during practice.
“Our intensity is a big focus, too. When we have it, we excel so much more,” she said.
Daily goals have been a way to motivate her team thus far this season. As explained by Cole, once one expectation is met, they make them bigger.
The young team will host nine home games this season, doubling the number of home appearances they saw last season.
Despite their tough schedule and conference, the home court advantage should serve the Lady Plainsmen well this season.
“These girls like a crowd with lots of noise, so your support will not go without appreciation,” she said, encouraging fans to attend games.
According to Cole, the team has undergone their 12th day of practice and is ready to hit the court against an opponent.
The Lady Plainsmen kick off their season opener Thursday, Aug. 23 in Sutherland at 5 p.m. MT with a triangular against the Sailors and the Creek Valley Storm.
The team’s home opener against the North Platte St. Pat’s Irish will be Thursday, Aug. 30 at 4:30 p.m.