by Marty Zier

Sports contributor

Rebekah Hardee starts her third year as head coach of the Lady Vikings, and she decided this year to focus on just one team.

“We have made a choice to just have a varsity team and no junior varsity,” she said. “We will have 17 players; there will be a bench. We will have a lot of options; some girls will get a lot of playing time and maybe others not so much. I have girls hitting harder and practicing really hard to get playing time.”

Hardee has eight talented freshmen moving into the program. They have benefited from the middle school summer volleyball camp Hardee runs at Orcas Park and Rec District.

“These girls are coming into high school volleyball knowing what to do when I say it, and this experience really helps accelerate their abilities,” she said.

Returning are three experienced seniors, Journey Howden, Katelyn Minnis and Jessie Nichols, who Hardee is relying on for their experience and understanding of what she expects.

“The seniors will have to work hard with the extra competition sitting on the bench, but this will make all players better,” she said. “It’s shaping up to be a very good year, and I am having so much fun.”