Netters set to begin season

Sonja Karp
NLJ Sports Reporter
 
The Lady Dogie Volleyball squad has been hard at work for the past week and a half with two-a-day practices as they prepare for their 2020 season. Though things will look a little different this year, head coach Keeley Anderson couldn’t be more pleased with how her team is shaping up.
“We only have 23 out, which is down quite a bit from previous years, but they’ve all got big hearts so we will still make three teams work,” she began. “They’ve been working hard but there haven’t been any complaints. They’re all keeping their eyes on the goal of being more prepared for the season as it gets under way.” 
The Lady Dogies graduated seven seniors from last year’s squad, however they are returning a few starters, and several players with varsity experience.
Returning seniors include Honesty Olson, Caitlyn Pehringer, Claire Beastrom and Alaina Steveson. Jordan Daniele, a transfer senior, is also joining the squad. Juniors back this year are Shawnee Miles, LaKacee Lipp and Olivia McVay. The largest returning group are the sophomores, which include Jaylen Ostenson, Hunter McFarland, Tiernan Stanton, Mackenzie Conzelman, Gabrielle McVay, Shelby Tidyman and Storee Tupa. 
Finally, the freshmen who will be donning the Dogie uniform for the first time include Camilla Drake, Jayde Harrington, Emilia Lichtenberg, Destiny Lyle, Kendra Merchen, Victoria Pehringer, McKenzie Rose and Ava Williams.
The starters who are back this year include Ostenson, Miles, Olson and Beastrom, and there are a few up and coming players to watch as well. Among those are Stanton, McFarland and Tidyman. 
Though the 2020 starting line-up is tentative at this time, Anderson has a preliminary lineup. Ostenson will return to her middle hitter/blocker position, and Stanton, who stands at over six feet tall, will very likely be the other middle. Outside hitters are shaping up to be Miles and McFarland, while the right side will likely be manned with Beastrom and Pehringer.
“The line-up is really still speculation at this point,” Anderson cautioned. “We also have some great passers that we can sub in for the front row players when they rotate back which is great.”
Who will fill the libero position, however, is still unknown. Right now, Anderson is looking at two players who possess some of the qualities that make a great defensive specialist.
“I’m trying to decide between LaKacee, who reads the ball really well but lacks a little speed, and Shelby, who is super quick but doesn’t have the game knowledge of LaKacee,” Anderson stated. “We will play around with those two and just see how that works out. Shelby also is a great back row hitter which will give us a nice weapon from there.”
Looking around the conference, Anderson pegged Rawlins and Douglas as top contenders. 
“Rawlins didn’t graduate many and they dominated last year, and Douglas will also be tough with a couple of big players,” she predicted. “After that, the rest of us are really in the mix to claim a spot at the state tournament. The group we have and the skill the girls have should prove to give us a pretty good season this year.”
Due to COVID-19, there can be no big tournaments this year, therefore the schedule looks a little different. The Lady Dogies’ first contest of the year is Friday, Aug. 28, when the Upton Lady Bobcats come to town. Despite competing in 1A, Upton has a strong team so Anderson knows they are not to be overlooked.
“Our girls are really pretty good friends with those girls, and though Upton only has 16 players this year, pretty much their whole team is returning after a state championship run last year,” she declared. “We want to beat them, but we have to come in playing our best in order to do it. That would be a pretty good feather in our cap and a great way to start the season.”
Information regarding limitations on spectators has been clarified by the state. There can be a maximum of  250 with 75 seats designated for visitors. Prior to out-of-town contests, coaches need to be apprised of who is planning on attending in order to abide by these restrictions.
In addition, the Wyoming athletic directors determined that masks are mandatory for all spectators, and that screening questions will be posed upon entry. If a spectator has a medical reason which precludes them from wearing a mask, documentation is required.
The Lady Dogies will kick off their season with a Weston County matchup against the Bobcats Friday, beginning with junior varsity play at 5 p.m. 
“I’m excited for our season,” Anderson smiled. “Our team is talented, the girls are awesome and have such positive energy, and fingers crossed we get to finish our season.”