The PHS Volleyball squad comes back for a new and better season. The returning starters reflect on last year and look to build on the good start they’ve had this year. 

The team finished the season 8-26 in 2023. Although this was an improvement from the year before, the team was still looking to improve. Seniors Alicia Cosens, Hailey Gray, Haylee Ingerson, and Heather Mowdy propelled the squad to begin the season 5-0 in league. 

 Coach Ashlen Riggs is pumped for the upcoming season, “I think everybody’s excited, fired up,” Riggs said. “We’ve got four seniors, lots of returning varsity players, and I think it’s going to be a good season as a team.” 

Mowdy is a returning starter for the team. She believes that as a veteran on the squad, she holds a certain responsibility within the team. 

“I think as seniors we need to set an example,” Mowdy said. “It is important to show the younger girls how to act when it comes to volleyball. This includes not getting upset if the game isn’t going your way, or if you make a mistake.” 

Gray is one of the four seniors. Gray played a role in improving the team’s chemistry and making sure they play as a team. 

“When I look back on last year, I see that team chemistry wasn’t a strong factor in our season,” Gray said. “We finally have been playing together enough and are meshing really well, but we also just have more experience and IQ all around. The team is closer than it has ever been in my four years of playing, and that has helped us tremendously.”  

Riggs is confident that the seniors will apply what they’ve learned in these four years to the real world. 

“Life doesn’t get any easier after high school,” Riggs said. “So, I know that when they’re faced with challenges, they’re going to fight through it and hopefully come out on the other side and join all the positive outcomes.”

 The PHS Volleyball team is looking to lean on their seniors and improve from last year. With a few wins under their belt, the team looks to continue the good reputation.

“This year we all want it badly enough that we are really fighting and battling for it,” Mowdy said. “We are at a point where we are consistent in what we’re doing and hopefully it will work out well for us.”