Lady Wolves Volleyball team shows promise in season opener

The Green River Wolves Volleyball team kicked off their season with a strong showing at the Cheyenne tournament, finishing with a 3-2 overall record. Despite facing tough competition, the Lady Wolves demonstrated resilience and potential, setting a positive tone for the season ahead.

Head Coach Jessica Demaret was pleased with the team's performance, especially considering the level of competition they faced right out of the gate.

"We had a great first weekend at the Cheyenne tournament overall," said Coach Demaret. "Our passing improved over the course of our five matches, which allowed us to really get into our offense, push our middles in transition, and get some different looks by the end of the two days."

One of the most notable moments of the tournament was Green River's match against Laramie, the top-ranked team in the state. Although the match ended in one of the Lady Wolves' two losses, the team played Laramie to a very tight finish.

"Even though it ended up as a loss, the girls played very well and showed some real potential," said Demaret. "They showed what this team is capable of when we're firing on all cylinders."

In terms of gameplay, the Lady Wolves excelled in passing and offensive transitions, which allowed them to stay competitive throughout the tournament.

"Our passing came along over the course of our matches, and that really helped us get into our offense," Demaret explained. "We were able to push our middles in transition and get some different looks by the end of the two days."

However, there were also areas identified for improvement, particularly in serving and defensive communication.

"We really need to improve on serving errors and communication on the defensive end," Demaret noted. "Those are things that will get better the more we play, so I anticipate seeing improvements in those areas during our next tournament in Evanston."

The tournament also provided an opportunity for the Lady Wolves' newer players to integrate into the team. Freshmen starters Natalie Tynsky and Vivian Murray made significant contributions in their first varsity games, showing poise beyond their years.

"Our new starters really stepped up," said Demaret. "Natalie and Vivian both played exceptionally well in their first varsity games, and it's exciting to see them rise to the occasion."

Leadership on the court was another strong point for the Lady Wolves. Senior players Eva Murray, Haidyn Terry, and Rylee Rosas provided crucial guidance throughout the tournament, especially in high-pressure moments.

"Our seniors did an awesome job of taking the reins when needed," Demaret praised. "They really impressed me by stepping up to the plate when we needed a big play. Their leadership is going to be key for us this season."

As the Lady Wolves look ahead to their next tournament, Coach Demaret is focused on building on the team's early successes while addressing areas for growth.

"Overall, we're really pleased with how our first weekend went," she said. "The team did some really good things in our first games of the season, and we'll continue to build on those fundamental skills."

The upcoming Evanston tournament will be an opportunity for the Lady Wolves to refine their game further and capitalize on the momentum gained in Cheyenne.

"We also had a good look at areas where we need to concentrate and get better," Demaret concluded. "We're looking forward to getting back in the gym this week to continue to improve and use this momentum as we head into our next tournament."

With a solid foundation in place and a clear vision for improvement, the Lady Wolves are poised to make their mark this season. The team's performance in Cheyenne has set the stage for what promises to be an exciting and competitive year ahead.