Maturation of underclassmen vital for Lady Bulldogs
ST. IGNATIUS — For the last two years, the Mission Lady Bulldogs’ volleyball team has come just one game shy of qualifying for the State Tournament, a fact that will fuel the players’ efforts in 2012.
ST. IGNATIUS — For the last two years, the Mission Lady Bulldogs’ volleyball team has come just one game shy of qualifying for the State Tournament, a fact that will fuel the players’ efforts in 2012.
“It’s definitely motivation for my seniors who’ve been there for the last two years,” Mission coach Kendal Anderson said. “The other girls probably don’t even think about that kind of stuff, but I’m sure those older girls will be reminding them of it. The program has really grown in the last four years and they don’t want to take a step back.”
The team finished in third place at both the 2011 and 2010 Western B Divisional Tournaments, falling to eventual-champs Florence 3-0 and Thompson 3-1 in last year’s semifinal matchups.
Since then, the team has had nine seniors graduate, leaving some large holes to fill in their wake.
Gone from the varsity lineup are Sydney Allard, Rose Bear Don’t Walk, Sarah Lucero, Ashley Courville, Jennifer Larson, Jane Makepeace, Sarah Bowers and Lyssia McDonald.
While last year’s graduating class took much to the team’s veteran leadership, however, Anderson is confident that her returning seniors will settle comfortably into those roles.
“I’m not worried about having to find someone to step up, because I have some born leaders on the team already,” Anderson said. “I have a trio of girls that will be seniors this year, coming back, who played big parts for the team last year.”
The trio of players Anderson speaks of are Lauren Erickson, a team captain last season, Stephanie Lewandowski and Sara Nerby.
“They’re great athletes, and they’re great students and they’re looked up to by their peers,” Anderson said. “They have been patient with the younger kids and have been really encouraging.”
However, the other half of the starting squad will be up to underclassmen to fill. A majority of the team’s other returning players are coming off seasons with the all-freshmen team.
This has required Anderson to alter her coaching approach slightly during preseason practices.
“It’s just getting back to the fundamentals of volleyball and having them do things that weren’t expected of them as far as moving a lot more on the court in covering and defense,” Anderson said. “These are things they were introduced to as freshman, but never really had to do in games.”
Anderson has seen good things from the younger Lady Bulldogs players, though, and will be looking for those things to continue when the season starts.
“I’m expecting a lot from my underclassmen,” Anderson said. “They’re going to be thrown into the mix of things and they’re going to have to learn fast, but the improvement I’ve seen from them in the last week of practice has been great.”
Mission’s aforementioned leadership will especially vital in the younger players’ transitions to varsity.
“Our goal is to just continually improve throughout the season,” Anderson said. “I know a lot of my offense will be based upon those three core girls at the beginning, and then I’m hoping to be able to bring those other girls into the offense.”
Erickson, Lewandowski and Nerby’s skills will be on display for all to see on Aug. 24, when the Lady Bulldogs travel to Charlo to take on the Lady Vikings. The match starts at 4 p.m.