Lady Heat volleyball fields well-rounded roster
Senior middle hitter Lauryn Aldridge waits to receive a serve from a Noxon player last year while Kara Christensen (10) looks on. (Chuck Bandel/VP-MI)
The youth movement continues in Hot Springs.
The Lady Heat volleyball team, which lost two seniors from last year’s 7-7 squad, is much like the school’s football team, which is being constructed around underclassmen with substantial skills upsides.
Gone from last year’s team are Lily DeTienne and Josie Uski, two hard playing seniors who graduated last spring.
In their place are some eager and excited young ladies with a lone senior emerging as the team leader.
And despite the abundance of youth, head coach Taylor Salmi sees a good team in the making.
“We are young again this year and just learning the fast paced varsity level,” Salmi said.
The lone senior is a good one. Lauryn Aldridge, who is also a standout on the basketball court with her 5-11 frame and jumping ability, is the pillar of experience in a sea of high energy youngsters, including three other returning starters.
“Lauryn brings strong leadership and years of varsity experience to help our younger players,” Salmi said of the talented middle hitter.
She said other starters include Brooke Jackson (junior setter) and junior Georgia Uski along with sophomore Kara Christensen. Hot Springs was also bolstered this year by the addition of Callie Cano, who transferred in from Noxon.
“We are excited to have Callie,” Salmi said. “She has a versatile skill set and will do a lot for our defense”.
That being said, Salmi said the overall strength of the team will be the quick, well-rounded players Hot Springs will put on the court.
As with all other teams in the league, Charlo is listed as the likely favorite and team to beat.
Hot Springs opens the 2023 season with a trip to the Drummond Tournament this Saturday. They return home Tuesday, August 29 where they will take on visiting St. Regis in an early league match.