Volleyball season opener Friday

Hot Springs County High School volleyball coach, Shannon Hill, said the program this year has 30 girls currently participating as they started practices this past week.

“High numbers are great,” she said, “as that creates a lot of competition and our program definitely needs girls pushing each other to be better each day.”

There are seven seniors, six juniors, six sophomores and 11 freshmen this year and Hill said each one has been working incredibly hard at two-a-days to improve both themselves and the program.

“Our schedule changed a little bit this year and we will not be participating in any tournaments,” Hill said, “just head to head matches.

“The girls are just excited to be in the gym and playing the sport they are super passionate about.”

Hill added she is super proud of the effort and leadership brought forth by some of the seniors and juniors ass they encourage the underclassmen to rise up and play at a higher level.

“We have some great defenders at all levels,” she said, “and some offensive players that have high volleyball IQs and will play smart and make plays.

“This team we have of 30 girls is really changing the culture of response in our program and working on their mental game as well as their physical game. I look forward to a great season from all three teams and watching each team and individual grow to their full potential.”

The girls will have their first matches this Friday against Rawlins with the freshmen starting at 3 p.m., JV at 4 p.m. and Varsity at 5 p.m. They will then travel to Worland on Saturday to take on the Lady Warriors with freshmen at 11 a.m., JV at noon and Varsity at 1 p.m.