The Lady Cougar volleyball began their season last week with the traditional two-a-day practices. Students tried out for the teams in the morning before beginning intensive practice in the afternoon. Coaches are optimistic about this year.
“I think we have a strong group of core girls coming back,” said Head Coach Amanda Spencer. “They have been working hard all summer and we have seen a lot of improvement and have really elevated their game.”
Players have been attending summer workouts all year in an effort to improve their physical fitness in preparation for the season, many of them taking private lessons in the off season in order to improve.
“Focus has been a lot stronger this year as far as team unity,” said Spencer. “I think our gap is going to be defense and trying to find replacements for that.”
The Lady Cougars lost a strong defensive player in graduate Illeana Rodriguez, who led the team in all stats for the 2022 season. Close behind her, though, is Senior Ava Hrabal, whose numbers are right behind Rodriguez. Hrabal leads the current squad in all areas of the court. Coaches look to cover key positions on the team by moving many players into new positions to help out.
The schedule for the Lady Cougars remains the same, having to face district rivals Bremond and Marlin in competition. In the 2022 season, the Cougars finished second, close behind Bremond who handed RL their only two losses.
“Bremond is always a very strong team,” Spencer said. “They are a lot like our kids and I would think they would be our top competitor. But you can’t take anyone lightly in our district.”
The Lady Cougars open competition August 8 at the Cougar Gym beginning with JV at 5 p.m. and Varsity at 6 p.m.