The Hays/Lodge Pole Volleyball team has a solid group of athletes out this fall as they look to build upon previous years work.

The Thunderbirds are again being led by Head Coach Gemma Doore. The kids have been in the gym working hard in preparation for the upcoming season.

Leading the way for the Thunderbirds are seniors: Kassie Perez, Sierra Chandler and Justice Werk. A strong junior class includes Jayden Chandler, Tahtianna Whitecow-Morgan and Lakota Pretty Paint.

The future is coming along with sophomores Nashone Shambo, Shaunte Hawley, Aubrey Chandler and Katie Bigby. New to the High school program are freshman Destiny The Boy, Jayla Haakanson and Hailey Cichosz.

The Thunderbird volleyball team only lost one senior to graduation and return the bulk of their varsity roster from a season ago.

This season has many new changes to deal with to allow a return to play and Doore has been focused on that as practice got underway, "Just making new habits and routines of the safety rules, disinfection, sanitizing and masks. Taking all precautions as necessary but also working extra hard."

It's hard for anyone to adjust to change but the kids are taking it in stride, "The girls adapt so well to the new changes! I have a great group of girls and we work well as a team for our new routines and changes," added Doore.

The seniors have done well in leading the team thus far, "My new incoming Seniors as well as (Sophomore) Nashone Shambo have been great leaders. All my girls have their way of helping this team and I appreciate it," said Doore.

The Thunderbirds are looking to continue building a program that once struggled with participation numbers. Some of their goals include, "Short term- we are looking to make this new way work as best as we can, to keep everyone safe and healthy but also to keep competing all the way through fall season. Long term we want to keep building our program towards being top contenders," added Doore.

As far as the first few weeks of the season go, Doore is pretty positive, "Our school being on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, we have guidelines in place for our people. We got a late start waiting for permission to allow our student athletes to compete. All considering, I definitely feel my girls are ready for this season!"

The Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbird volleyball team will take the court for the first time with a home contest against the Geraldine/Highwood Rivals at 5:00 p.m.