CORTEZ – If new M-CHS had hoped to see a competitive edge from her team heading into the fall, several days of intense team tryouts will certainly paint a picture of what’s to come for the Panthers this season.
Constrained by allowable roster sizes and travel limitations, one of first-year head coach Danielle Waltman’s first tasks is selecting a roster from four dozen ambitious student-athletes – a process that brings out a tenacity right from the opening practices that the first-year head coach hopes will carry over into the season ahead.
M-CHS returns a roster that sports plenty of varsity experience from their 3-20 campaign last autumn, meaning another offseason to gel may pay dividends for the Panthers when they take the court in the sturdy Intermountain League.
“I was born and raised in this program,” said Waltman, M-CHS Class of 2013, “so it’s been a part of me. We as a program want to continue to instill ‘Panther Pride’ and keep building on that tradition.”
From the energetic junior libero Sarah Sparks and the steadying junior setter Kescoleigh Boeckman, to the team’s leading returner in kills – sophomore Tessa Jackson – the Panthers have leaders stepping into prominent vocal roles, joining forces with their strong seniors Kalea Ogo, Gabby Foster, and Karlee Hubbs.
“These girls know the game, and they have the heart for it,” added Waltman, “and they’re willing to put in the work through their own initiative – from the weight room to the offseason scrimmages – they’ve focused on improving both individually and as a team.”
That invigorating energy kept the Panthers in points a season ago, even when giving up some height at the net to virtually all of their opponents. M-CHS became adept at keeping plays alive, winning points through their resilience and hustle.
Success during team camps in the offseason has Waltman optimistic that the Panther open gym workouts are starting to pay off. “We never had an open gym during the offseason where we had fewer than a dozen girls,” said the Panther head coach, “and that tells you how committed they are to making this season special.”
The Panthers enjoy an early-season homestand to kick off the campaign, beginning with a match against Monticello on Aug. 23, before hosting Ignacio (Aug. 27) and Dolores (Sept. 3). IML play gets underway on the road in Bayfield on Sept. 10, with the Panthers first home league match arriving on Oct. 1 against Pagosa Springs. The home slate winds down with a trio of league matches against Bayfield (Oct. 8), Centauri (Oct. 11) and Alamosa (Oct. 12) before end-of-season tournaments and regionals await in late October and early November.
