Junior high B-team wraps up volleyball season with a win

First out of the locker room Wednesday, Oct. 10 was the younger B-team of the hometown Lady Lynx who dressed out nine hitters to face off against the junior high Granite Prospectors from Philipsburg.

Students in grades 5 through 7, the B-teams are the "ladies in waiting" of the volleyball world, learning their skills and acquiring a tough competitive attitude while they wait to get into eighth grade and the A-team.

Coach Dawn Kirby had prepared her younger ladies for the stiff contest that Granite always brings to Lincoln. Much to the delight of the many hometown fans, the B-team Lady Lynx put the game away quickly with hard-fought battles, 25-20 and 25-16.

Fifth grader Madylin Gilbert said the squad has been practicing their mental resilience, being confident during every volley and encouraging each other if someone's hit goes astray. "We're also learning to call the ball if we think we are the best one to return the volley," she added.

Madylin is also a reliable server, getting four serves in a row over the net in the second set.

One of the inspirational moments of the first set was cheering on the shortest player, 6th grader Avery Steinbach, who made three successful serves in a row. Meah LaManna and Makena Copenhaver (who also moves up to the A-squad for their game) were the anchors of the B-team success. Both ladies have older siblings who also play sports for the Lady Lynx, so they must have good genes!

With 14 gals out for junior high volleyball this season, the future looks bright for the Lady Lynx.