The Hays/Lodge Pole volleyball team has had a difficult time winning matches, especially within the highly competitive District 6C-East. This year the team has a much improved outlook on the season and that can be attributed to the girls putting in some extra work this summer on the court and certainly in the weight room.

Head Coach Gemma Mount is back for her second season as the Head Volleyball coach for the Thunderbirds. Mount started coaching at Hays/Lodge Pole with the Junior High program before taking over the Varsity program.

In just the beginning stages of the rebuilding process, Mount likes the progression of her team, "We are going into the current season with a lot of athleticism. We are looking to compete hard this season and hope to pick up some wins."

The Thunderbird athletic program as a whole, from football to cross country, volleyball and basketball have come together to encourage each other to attend open gyms, travel as a team to camps and tournaments and really work on strength and conditioning. "Without having to be pushed by a coach, they hit the weights as a team, did lots of cardio work and put in a ton of gym time in keeping active everyday this summer. There were times they would call for us (Coaches) to open the gym for them on days off. Just about every girl hit a growth spurt, so we are looking pretty lengthy and tall," said Mount.

In gaging where her team is at right now, Mount has a pretty good idea, "We are a young team that's looking forward to competing hard and helping to change the athletic program all around as a whole." Mount went on to say, "This year all the roles will shift, finding new areas to cover and working well together to find what fits us. We have good communication right now. We have our sophomores/juniors coming back that finished the season and they are helping and encouraging the freshmen and new comers to help them find roles."

The Thunderbirds roster numbers have doubled in size, "Sierra Chandler, Kassi Perez, Justice Werk, Tahtianna Morgan, Jaedyn Chandler will be returning key players as we ended with seven last season. We are excited for this season as we have fourteen girls out and I look forward to working with all of them and keeping them together," added Mount.

What does Coach Mount expect of her team this fall, "Our goals for this season are to stay hungry, compete hard and work together as a whole. Get some wins, learn as a team and uplift one another. Our big goal is to go into Districts with a lot of heart, hard work and some good experience from the season!"

The Thunderbirds roster heading into the first week of action includes a pair of seniors, Mulleeah Stiffarm and Taylor Healy. Three juniors will add leadership at the top and they are Kassie Perez, Sierra Chandler and Justice Werk.

Sophomores out this fall include, Tahtianna Morgan, Lakota Pretty Paint and Jaedyn Chandler.

Freshman competing for the first time at the high school level are; Nashone Shambo, Kati Granados, Shaunte Hawley, Kylee Zander, Aubrey Chandler and Katie Bigby.

The Hays/Lodge Pole Thundrbird volleyball team will get things started Saturday, August 31 at the NTCHS Tournament. Their first home contest of the season will be against Harlem on Tuesday, September 10 with first serve set for 5:00 p.m.