Rice Volleyball preview

With summer winding down and the start of the school year just around the corner, it’s time to take a look at the Rice Consolidated Lady Raiders volleyball team.

Last season they struggled mightily as they only won 13 games overall last season and won one game in district play.

With that said, there is an obvious expectation to improve this season, especially in district play. The Lady Raiders have been chomping at the bit to get themselves back into the playoffs, and they will have to win some district games to do that.

While the team struggled last season, the positive news for the fans is that there is a new coach this season for the Lady Raiders. That’s not to say that the previous coach did a bad job, David Leist did an excellent job leading the team for as long as he did.

With a new coach coming in though, it brings in a different perspective and some change to a team that could use a little bit of change.

The Lady Raiders have been spinning their tires when it comes to volleyball, and they were having some trouble getting over the hump. Bringing in a new voice to lead this team could spark this team to one of their best seasons.

Rest assured new head coach of the volleyball team, Morgan Hunter, will have her work cut out for her this season. There is a sense of optimism that they can turn things around out at Rice Consolidated High School for the volleyball team, especially with the list of talented players returning.

Raelee Nelson, Iya Farrow, Lexia Rangel, Breelyn Freeman, Klair Hailey and Kimberly Hernandes are all expected to return to the team. These ladies logged a lot of big minutes last season and will be looking to take on a bigger role this season.

Nelson, Hernandes, and Freeman are some of the returning seniors to the team that Hunter is going to rely on. She will also ask that the underclassmen step up this season because if they are going to make the playoffs, they are going to need the underclassmen to make some plays.

The Lady Raiders season is set to begin on Tuesday, August 12, when they will open the season against Sacred Heart.