Lady Lions look to repeat as district champs in 2010

Continuing with the Fall Sports previews, attention is focused on a team that is looking to repeat as district champs, the Senath-Hornersville Lions' Volleyball team.

Along with trying to repeat as district champs, the Lions will look to have a successful regular season by winning on a consistent basis heading into the latter parts of the season.

Lions' head coach, Lori Hoffmann, says that her team is excited and eager to get the season underway. "Although the first couple of days of camp have been rough on the girls, they're excited to get the season going as we look to defend our district championship," said Hoffman.

One thing that the Lions' have to deal with, during practices, that most other teams in the area don't have to is practicing in a non-air conditioned gym, which is something Hoffman feels will actually benefit them in the long run. "Although it's tough for them to be in this heat for several hours, the girls have really toughed it out and have really been working hard," said Hoffman. "Getting used to this heat will help them become more conditioned and ready for the long season."

The Lions have four seniors on this year's team and Hoffman will be looking towards these girls to be the leaders this season. "Our seniors will be the ones that the others will look up to and it's their responsibility to make sure that the team is playing to its best potential," said Hoffman. "When the seniors are playing well and doing their job, then the rest of the team will follow them and be successful."

Unlike most teams, Hoffman says that conditioning, while vital to their success down the road, is not what they're focusing on because of how hot it is. "Right now it is too hot to do a lot of conditioning," Hoffman said. "We try to take it easy at first because I want our girls to be healthy, but the heavy conditioning will come as the temperature cools down."

When it comes to short term and long term goals of this season, Hoffman said that she left that up to the girls. "On the first day of practice I asked them what their goals were for this season," Hoffman said.

"The junior varsity told me that they wanted to win conference, along with the varsity wanting to win conference and districts. Now that the girls have goals they want to accomplish, we're going to do everything we can to achieve them and repeat as district champs."

Hoffman also wanted to point out that their fans and student section are what motivate these girls to win. "We have a great fan base. Our student section always shows up for our games and is always loud and supportive. It's their support that motivates us to play our best."

And when it comes to the seniors, they said that winning the district title was their main goal. They also feel that it's their job to encourage their teammates to play hard, along with playing hard themselves. They believe that if they play well, the team will follow their lead and the entire team will be successful.

The Lions will open up their 2010 season at Clarkton on August 30, starting at 4:30 p.m.