WAITSBURG - Fourth-year WP volleyball coach Angie Potts is encouraged by the enthusiasm and energy exhibited by the 29 girls - nearly double the amount of last year's players -- who turned out for the 2014 season.

"There's a lot of good potential and the desire is there. We just need to see if they're willing to push themselves to do what it takes," said Potts.

Potts, who has coached a total of 23 years between Prescott, Wa Hi and WP, is joined by Assistant Coach Tammy Brown (Potts' former WWCC volleyball teammate) and volunteer coach Liz Alleman. Four-hour practices began last week, but Potts said it's been hard to get a feel for the team since many of the players have been pulled away from practices by fair obligations.

"It's nice to finally be past the point of having such a young team. We're starting the season with some experience on the floor," said Potts, referring to last year's varsity roster, which was dominated largely by sophomore and freshman players. "We have some second-year starters on the floor and several girls have stepped up to take on leadership roles," she said.

Potts said it's too early to tell the team's strengths and weaknesses at this point. "We'll be strong out in front with Sam (Fedderson), Paige (Wood) and Jaidyn (Brown) on the front line. Our weak point may be passing, but we'll know more by the end of next week."

Potts is pleased at the number of new Prescott players - mostly sophomores - that have joined the team this year. "They watched some spring practices and then showed up this fall. I think watching their fellow Prescott classmates Athziry (Amezcua) and Maribel (Mendoza) has been an encouragement to them," said Potts.

The Lady Cards will take to the court with a hosted tournament at the Waitsburg gymnasium on September 20. The five teams competing against WP will include: Mabton, Wa Hi JV, De Sales, Touchet and Lacrosse/Washtucna/ Kahlotus.

"It will be fun because we haven't played Mabton and LWK in tournaments before," said Potts.

Potts is optimistic that the positive and enthusiastic attitudes she's seeing in her players will translate to a winning season on the court.

WP Varsity Roster

Mikala DeRuwe, Senior

Paige Wood, Senior

Samantha Walker, Senior

Samantha Fedderson, Senior

Nikki Fisher, Senior

Jaidyn Brown, Junior

Athziry Amezcua, Junior

Alexus Snyder, Junior

Caitlyn Jones, Junior

Taylor Hays, Sophomore

Timber Frohreich, Sophomore