Volleyball starts, set for P-burg match next week

Volleyball season is under way, with the Lady Wolves resuming practices last week in preparation for the season.

Their first home game is set for September 30, with a weekend tournament trading venues between Wrangell and Petersburg.

Coach Jessica Whitaker explained there will be two sets of home games against the Lady Vikings this season, and in both instances games will be played at both schools.

It is a convenient trip for players, and also allows parents to see how their students are improving.

Just because the team was on its summer break, it doesn’t mean players were off their game. Three of the varsity players took part in volleyball camps over the summer holiday, and open gym sessions at the high school through the break let the girls continue to practice between academic years. In particular, Whitaker said the team has been working on its passing.

“We have a pretty strong program,” she commented.

Sixteen girls have enrolled for this year’s team. Eight are designated varsity, with four filling in for both varsity and junior varsity teams. The roster’s lost a few of its key players to graduation, but Whitaker said the team is settling into things.

“We’re still working on filling those positions,” said Whitaker. Three of the players are freshmen, formerly of the middle school team. Stikine Middle School’s coach from last year is joining them, with Alyssa Allen stepping in as the high school’s assistant coach.

“A lot of the JV girls are used to seeing her face. She’s no stranger to the program,” Whitaker remarked.

Two players are brand new to competitive volleyball, and the coach explained the girls were picking up the necessary skills quickly and getting a lot of valuable feedback. Attitudes were positive, and Whitaker said the team was looking forward to the new season.

The season will continue into December, with Region V set for the first week of the month in Craig. For a full listing of the team’s schedule, check out the school’s activities page at its new website, at http://www.wrangellschools.org/Domain/23.