The Nederland High School Lady Panthers started their season this year, with the first day of practice on August 9. They practiced with enthusiasm and diligence. Their first game was on August 20 against Vail Christian where they played hard but lost.

Later in the season, the varsity team played in a tournament at Addenbrooke Classical Academy where they lost all of their games. Then they played Loveland Classical Academy where junior varsity won, and varsity lost. The junior varsity team then played in a tournament on September 10, also at Addenbrooke Classical Academy.

Then on September 14 the team played Dawson Academy. The game was very close but both teams lost. They played again on the 21st against Front Range Christan where both teams lost, and again on the 23rd against Union Colony where both teams again lost, but played hard. Finally the team played on the 28th against Dayspring Christan where they played hard but lost. The Lady Panthers played hard every game. Great job, ladies!

This year’s varsity team includes senior and captain Skylee Barry, juniors Elise Brodsky, Annabel Ivey, and Lucy Schalz; sophomores Echo Siglin, Jordan Galindo, and Mary Jeane Jarril; and freshman Lauren Schrader and Kendall Zotti. Team captains included Skylee Barry, and Marry Jeane Jarril and Kayla Knapp as the head coach and Nicole Zotti as the assistant coach.

For junior varsity, the team includes freshmen Echo Siglin, Mary Jane Jarril, Opal Kinnikin, Teaghan Hartman, Lauren Schrader, Kendall Zotti, Natalia Upczak, Amelie Bodner, Lucy Schalz, Autumn Pattridge, and Alex Jaffe with Kayla Knapp as head coach and Nicole Zotti as assistant coach.

Head coach Kayla Knapp says this about this year’s team: “This year’s team is young and eager to learn. I have seen tremendous improvement since the beginning of the season in each individual player as well as the overall team. The girls learn and grow every time they step on the court, and I am so proud of how far they have come. We’re looking forward to more Ws as we continue the season.”

Assistant coach Nicole Zotti says this: “This season of volleyball at NMSHS has been amazing! Coach Knapp and I have been trying to completely change the culture of our volleyball program. We have already seen vast improvements in attitudes and skills this year. It is thrilling to watch these talented young women grow into well rounded athletes, and I can’t wait to see how the rest of our season unfolds. We hope to facilitate volleyball camps for elementary, middle school, and high school this summer so we can keep the enthusiasm going!”

Senior and team captain Skylee Barry also says: ¨Throughout my four years of playing volleyball at Nederland High School, the team dynamic this year is by far the best I have ever experienced. As a small school, we definitely have to learn how to experience many ups and downs in our sports especially, but the team this year is by far the closest I have ever seen it. We are supportive to each other on and off the court and enjoy playing together, and it shows. Supporting each other in team sports is one of the most important aspects that leads a team to success. While our record may not show it, the obvious love we have shown for the sport and the team sure does. In my four years of playing at Nederland, I have never seen such a supportive overall team dynamic, and although I am graduating this year, I am so excited to see how far the team will come in the next few years.¨

Keep up the amazing work and effort, ladies. Good luck Panthers!