With only two returning starters from last year's team, the Siloam Springs volleyball team doesn't have a wealth of experience heading into the 2015 season.
Many of the Lady Panthers will have to learn on the fly, and that's OK according to longtime head coach Rose Cheek-Willis.
"We're a very young team with young players in key roles," Cheek-Willis said after the Lady Panthers completed their first official practice of the preseason Monday inside Panther Activity Center.
Siloam Springs lost several senior starters from last year's 20-15 team that advanced to the Class 6A quarterfinals before losing to Marion in a tight four-game match.
However, the Lady Panthers also lost two more starters in the offseason as senior setter Sidney Avery quit the team to return to cross country. The team's other setter from last year, junior Arika Johnson, transferred to Springdale Har-Ber.
Cheek-Willis said the team's four returning seniors, led by returning starters Madisyn Fullerton and Haley Stewart, have provided excellent leadership in the preseason.
"Their work ethic has been great," Cheek-Willis said. "We get excited every time we come into the gym. When we get here, they're already playing short court before we even start practicing. It's been four to five years since I've seen that."
Fullerton started at defensive specialist a year ago and will move into the libero position this fall.
"Maddy has stepped up and provided outstanding leadership," Cheek-Willis said.
Stewart, meanwhile, will man the right side where she's seen extensive playing time the last two seasons.
The team's other two seniors, Krysten Hall and Sam Wetzel, will also be key contributors with Hall on the right side and Wetzel in the defensive back court.
Junior Meg Gray will assume one of the outside hitter spots and part-time setter in the 6-2 offense.
"Meg is running the offense like a general," Cheek-Willis said. "She's doing a great job."
Junior Madison Cooper may be undersized as a 5-foot-8 middle blocker, but "she can really jump," Cheek-Willis said.
Junior Andrea Lowry is expected to contribute in the defensive back court along with classmates Britain Castagna and Ada Thomas.
The coaches are very excited about sophomore Shaylon Sharp, who will play outside hitter and some on the back row. Sharp recently helped the Ozark Juniors 15-1 club team win the USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championship in New Orleans.
Sharp is one of 10 sophomores on the roster, which Cheek-Willis referred to as an "awesome bunch of sophomores that are athletic, fun and competitive." Other sophomores are Cassie Bartlett, Allie Bowman, Melissa Enriquez, Madison Hall, Hadlee Hollenback, Kirsten Loftis, Kenlie Noel, Elise Scarbrough and Kailee Thomason.
The Lady Panthers are also going to have two freshmen -- Chloe Price and Ellie Lampton -- contribute at the varsity level.
Price, who is Cheek-Willis' niece, will man the other setter position, while Lampton will be a middle blocker.
"This bunch, they have been fun," Cheek-Willis said. "They've been accepting of trying new things and willing to accept new ideas. They seem to really care about one another."
The Lady Panthers recently attended Licking Summer Camp in Branson, where they went 15-5 overall in three days of competition. The camp featured some of the top teams from Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Kansas. The team also got a fun day in at Silver Dollar City theme park.
"We were pleasantly surprised," Cheek-Willis said, "because the competition was tougher than it was last year.
"The kids said they had the best time at this team camp. The unity and love and support for one another is there."
The Lady Panthers will practice today and Thursday before heading to team camp at Rogers Heritage on Friday. They'll play their annual Maroon and Gray game on Aug. 18 and then participate in a benefit game Aug. 20 against Harrison and Fayetteville at Fayetteville.
The season opener is Aug. 25 at home against Bentonville.
Sports on 07/29/2015