Members of the Bobcat volleyball team are: Front row, from left, Alley Jorgenson, Greeley Hrupek, Erin Fitzgerald; Second row: Jade Bierman, Neltje Reiff, Kaygan Witthuhn, Bryn Schwarz, Charli Vickers, TJ Johnson, Miranda Tucker, Charli Pandorf; Third row: EvaLynn Wonch, Piper Strasburg, Asa Starr, Bindi Peters, Tahnna Nokes, Anna Tullis, Skyler Ellison, Riata Remund, Josie Reiff, Nyachay Haidle, Josie Lehmkuhler, Rachel Leetch, Addison Stump; Back row: Danah Baldwin, Aubrie Birkel, Delaynie Liable, Delaney Rogers, Maggie Birkel, Grace Bierman, Kelynn Witthuhn, Jozi Edgington. Not pictured: Angel Johnson. (Courier photo by Amanda Wehnes).

The Lady Bobcats volleyball team has a young, but talented roster heading into this season.

Last season the team had a 21-8 record and were narrowly knocked out of the race for the state tournament in the final game of sub-districts. Their losses last year were to some powerhouses on the court, including to Gothenburg who was the runner-up at state in Class C1.

Despite having a very young team, Head Coach Desiree Guthrie is optimistic about what the season and her players will bring.

“Graduating five starters from our roster, and only returning two starters, we have a young team. To some that may seem like a rebuilding year,” she said. “But I look at it as having two returning starters and eight total returning varsity level players to help not only aid in this team's success this season, but to help build the confidence and skills of our younger players.”

This season’s Bobcats are led by a large and talented group of seniors - Charli Vickers, Bryn Schwarz, Delaney Rogers, Grace Bierman, Tahnna Nokes, Maggie Birkel, Delaynie Liable, Josie Reiff, and Skyler Ellison.

The loss of five starters has meant an increase in competition for positions this season and the roster hasn’t been completely set. But with the loss of a jamboree game and a week zero game, the Bobcats have been given more time to prepare and iron out the wrinkles.

This season their schedule requires much more windshield time, with about three-quarters of their competitions being away from home. Their first home game isn’t until the Seven Valleys Tournament in mid-September.

Guthrie, in keeping with the rest of the shake-ups this season, is also making changes to the way the Lady Bobcats prepare, including more focus on fundamental skills, mixing up practices, and adding in more mental preparation in addition to the physical aspects of the game.

“As a coach I am always looking for ways to better myself so I can better our team’” she said. “I look forward to watching the growth of this team on the court and off the court.”