The Rocky Mountain Lady Grizz volleyball squad has been practicing for the past two weeks in hopes of solidifying their team and having a successful season this year.


Returning coach Carol McMillin said six solid seniors have returned to play, along with nine others – one junior, five sophomores and three freshmen -- who will make up the JV and freshman squads and fill in spots on the varsity roster. She said eight players will start out on varsity, but more could be added later. A total of 15 girls came out to play this year.


McMillin said she is happy with the coaching staff this season, with Traci McArthur returning as an assistant coach and Heather Wagner joining as an assistant coach as well. Wagner coached middle school and freshmen for one year each in District No. 1 before taking a break last year. She previously played volleyball for Northwest College.


“We’ve got some good experience and coaches who are able to relate with the girls really well,” McMillin said. “That really helps.”


She said the team is “fairly deep” and many girls are able to play multiple positions well. The Grizz will run a 5-1 offense, the coach said.


The team has been up at 5:30 a.m. five days a week, as well as after school, for two-a-day practices since Monday, Aug. 18. She said all the girls are enthusiastic, working hard and dedicated to practice. She said the team has solid servers and is working on being more aggressive on blocks.


She said she doesn’t know too much about the 2A competition yet, but expects Riverside and Shoshoni to be a challenge, while the new coach at Thermopolis makes it tough to know what to expect from the team.


She is looking forward to a match up with Greybull.
She said the solid group of senior netters has been playing together since eighth grade, when McMillin coached them to win the championship. Senior players include Cassie Brost, Kelsey VanLake, Calli Ward, Melissa Barnes, Sara Olsen and Emily Bernhisel.


“It will be interesting to see if we can pull another one together,” the coach said.


Last year, one senior starter, Amanda Wocicki, graduated.


McMillin said the team’s goals include being more aggressive and competitive on the court, improving on last season’s record and making it to Regionals and State.


“We’re just going to take it one game at a time and be aggressive,” she said.


The team also has brand new uniforms this year.