Lady Vikings volleyball ready for second half surge
CHARLO VOLLEYBALL player Destiny Manuel hits the ball into the heart of the Plains defense in Saturday night's contest at Charlo High School. (Jason Blasco/Lake County Leader)
The Charlo Lady Vikings volleyball team is beginning to carve out their team identity in their new roles in the first year head coach Janelle Pruitt took over the Lady Vikings volleyball program.
“They are starting to really find their roles on the team and we are starting to come together really well,” Pruitt said. “We have a starting six and we have three more girls that are just doing a great job on the court.”
Pruitt, who didn’t have the luxury of coaching the numbers or the quantity of caliber athletes at her previous coaching job in St. Regis, has really enjoyed the flexibility or working with the caliber of athletes she has as the new coach at Charlo.
“It’s been really impressive and if one girl has an off night, another one of their teammates will step up and help out the team,” Pruitt said. “We are still pushing to find a player to emerge as a team leader because everyone on our team is very selfless and sometimes almost too considerate on the court. We are kind of pushing to find someone who is going to be a little more aggressive and vocal. We also need to have players continue to dive for loose balls because we’ve had a problem letting them drop rather than going after them.”
Pruitt also acknowledged the talent that she has on this Lady Vikings roster. Last season, the Vikings qualified to go to the Class C divisional play.
“Once they find their groove, this team is pretty amazing to coach,” Pruitt said. “The community support has been great and their parents and siblings will even come out to road games. That support really helps inspire the girls.”
In addition to Noxen, the Lady Vikings were also tested against one of the top district contenders in Plains. Last season, Plains’ quest to qualify for divisionals fell short of expectations, and this season the Trotters appear determined to qualify to that next step, Pruitt said.
There are a couple of Lady Vikings players Pruitt said will be key components to the Lady Vikings’ attack.
“I think we are still warming up because we are switching into a new offense,” Pruitt said. “When it comes all together and the team starts buying into our program we could be a really special team,” Pruitt said. “We have the potential to contend for a district title.”