Editor's Note: It was previously reported that the team started practice Aug. 2. It was Aug. 10. We apologize for the error. 

 

Having practiced since Aug. 10, the Lady Indian Volleyball Team is ready to roll. The season opener is 7 p.m. Thursday as Bridgeport High School faces Fairmont Senior.

 

The two teams faced each other in last season’s opening game and the Lady Indians came out victorious.

 

Coach Ally Curry believes this year’s team will also look strong against its first opponent.

 

“We have a good group; a talented group,” she said. “They’ve been working hard and have definitely come together as a team.”

 

Last week’s varsity scrimmages at Philip-Barbour High School ended in a 2-0 win over P-B and a 2-1 loss to Morgantown High School. 

 

Back in August, 21 girls went out for the team, but two dropped out, leaving the team with 19 players, all which were placed on either varsity or JV. Some underclassmen, including freshmen Katelyn Stanley, Juliet Hart, Samantha Wilson and Kristen Crowder, will be seeing both varsity and JV playing time.

 

“This freshman class is so athletic. Once they get some experience, some of the others will be able to help us in varsity games and tournaments,” Curry said.

 

Juniors on the varsity team are Abby Strait, Christina White, Kira Wertheim and newcomer Quinn Stalnaker.

 

“Quinn is new. She’s a pretty good basketball player and came out this year,” Curry said. “She’s never played volleyball before, but she is athletic.”

 

Senior members – all who will be starting in Thursday’s game – are Emily Griffith, Sydney Leatherman, Morgan Signorelli, Lexie Sczerba and Caroline Lloyd. 

 

Combined, the seniors are stepping up to be good team leaders, Curry said.

 

“We’ve kind of struggled with having one of them stand out as a leader. They each have a little quality that if you put them all into one individual, you’d have a leader that any coach would want. But it’s kind of nice. They all play their own role and know what that role is for the team.”

 

Joining the seniors as starters for Thursday’s game are juniors Abby Strait and Christina White. Curry said she is still experimenting with positions and the season opener will help her and Assistant Coach Grant Burton determine where the girls will be playing as the season progresses.

 

Thursday’s game against Fairmont Senior is the only game scheduled for this week, but next week the team will really hit the ground running with games on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. 

 

Editor's Note: Photo of last year's volleyball team was taken by Ben Queen Photography.