The Alberton Panther Volleyball team began practice last week in preparation for their upcoming season.

New head coach Cody Larson had the Panthers running for two practices a day and said that both he and his squad have high expectations for the season.

“We’ve been going real hard,” Larson said. “The girls have a great attitude.”

Larson said that during practice he stresses keeping up the energy level as though it was an actual game.

“We try to keep the level of intensity up in practice as though it were a game,” Larson said. “Not slow down and pick it up and repeat, but keep it (the intensity) up.”

This years Panther squad is lacking in seniors and as such Larson said that he is looking to the large junior class to “step up and kind of fill those leadership roles.”

Larson student taught at Alberton High School last year and was an assistant coach for the girl’s basketball team.

“I had a great time and didn’t want to leave,” Larson said.

The Alberton Panthers play their first game of the season at home against Darby on August 24.