A year after reaching the state semifinals, the Dove Creek volleyball team finished the 2014 season with a 9-14 record.
Entering her second season as head coach, Melissa Carver hopes for a better record this year, but she understands that there will be growing pains.
“We’re in a building year,” she explained. “We’ve got a lot of young girls, and a lot of skill refinement that needs to take place.”
The Bulldogs graduated four players in 2015, but they return starters Shelbie Fullmer and Kierra Baughman, as well as several players with varsity experience – Kris Johnson, Savannah Ayers and Larissa Randolph.
The team has three returning seniors in Cortney Ogas, Briana Boyd and Maureen Bartley and four juniors, three sophomores and six freshmen.
With a new mix of players, Carver and assistant coach Veronica Spigner are still working on a final starting lineup.
Although the Bulldogs are a young team and may be in a rebuilding phase, their goal is still to make it as far into the playoffs as possible.
“There are some teams in our league that are in a similar boat,” Carver said.
“So to contend in our league would be great.”