Coyotes volleyball team looks forward to new season

SAN JON — The San Jon Coyotes volleyball team plans to combine the lessons from a harsh year of growing pains and a summer of learning to compete in a season full of potential.

“I cannot believe the changes these girls have undergone in just a year,” said Jaree Elliott, Lady Coyotes head coach.

Elliott said she and the team have come to terms and moved past last year’s 0-20 finish. She said despite the record, the team — which features just one senior, a sophomore, two freshmen and six eighth-graders — played with heart.

“The girls never gave up,” Elliott said. “They kept stepping out on the court to face the next challenge.”

Elliott said the team showed improvement while attending a volleyball camp at the start of July at Adams State University in Colorado. She said the girls matured mentally and become physically stronger.

“They have advanced so much with a year under their belt,” Elliott said.

Elliott said the camp featured more than 110 teams from different classifications (1A-3A) from states including Oklahoma, Texas and Colorado. She said the Lady Coyotes competed in the gold bracket of the Division 3 pool play. The team has one senior, Amberlee Nunez, with the possibility of a another senior moving in to join the team, Elliott added.

“Amberlee has shown great leadership skills, with her young teammates responding well,” Elliott said.

Elliott said leadership and teamwork will be essential to a successful season in the overly competitive District 4-1A field. She said competition is always tough in 4-1A, where Elida and Melrose both made the state championship.

Eilda has won the last seven small-school championships — four as a member of the former Class B and the last three in Class 1A. Melrose has reached three consecutive title matches, including their 2A win in 2015 and 2A runnerup finish in 2014.

“The girls will have their work cut out for them,” Elliott said. “but they are ready to play with heart.”