Improvement a goal for volleyball

“We want to improve every day,” head coach Rikki Shantz said.

That’s this year’s goal for the Green River High School Lady Wolves volleyball team.

Shantz said the team will have four seniors, five juniors, five sophomores and nine freshmen.

“We have low numbers this year, but quality kids,” Shantz said. “They want to be in the gym getting better and they want to compete. I could not be more happy with how intense our practices have been and can’t wait to see our growth.”

Those who are returning to the team are showing great leadership, which will help the rest of the team.

So far, the Lady Wolves have competed in a tournament and have attended about 12 practices.

To prepare for the first games, Shantz must try and decide who is right for certain positions.

“We are wanting to see who is ready to fill some key roles,” Shantz said. “We want to learn how to compete together.”

Last weekend, the Lady Wolves returned home from Cokeville where they played five games and this weekend they will travel to Gillette to play against more teams.

The Lady Wolves will use all of the non-conference games to prepare them for their first conference game, which will be against their biggest rival -- the Rock Springs High School Lady Tigers. The match is scheduled to take place Sept. 6 at 6 p.m. in Rock Springs.

Fans can expect to see a lot of growth, heart and exciting offense this year, Shantz said.

Those on this year’s team are seniors: Kaitlyn Banks, Hayley Hernandez, Erika Wilson and Shyana Deakins, juniors: Ashelynn Birch, Raena Finch, Madelyn Heiser, Mariyah Brady and Cayleigh Welch, sophomores: Jacque Vaquera, Liberty Ferrell, Marissa Braughburger, Tayana Crowder and Kayde Strauss, freshmen: Ellie Kettering, Allysa Cudney, Daryn Macy, Eden Harcourt, Faith Bartashnick, Brynlee Doak, Sarah Wilson, Callie Raney and Luci Adams.