Each year in high school sports brings about change, including to team line-ups. Sometimes it is dramatic, other times very subtle.

For the St. Regis High volleyball team, the change could be described as both. Graduation took two of their top players from last year in Macy Hill and Bailey Hutchinson.

Fortunately for the Lady Tigers, the cupboard was far from bare. Five starters return to the 2022 team that posted an 11-9 record and finished fourth in the highly competitive 14C Conference.

Back for another year of play are starters Amelya Jensen, Averie Burnham, Shylah Dalka and Shelby Simkins. Also expected to have a positive impact this year and help fill the openings by the graduated seniors are Jamie Kearbey and Lilly Sansom.

“We have a lot of young talented players coming up this year with our large sophomore and freshman classes”, said head coach Kianna Barnett. “many players are attempting different positions and are excelling. I think we will have a very successful season with many well rounded players and our ladies being willing to branch out and try new things.”

Barnett said the focus will be on melding the talent and energy into a cohesive unit.

“This season, we are turning our focus to positive attitude and teamwork. If we have those two things, I think we will have a great season.

The move to Class B by traditional rival Superior, Barnett said, would most likely make the 14C even more competitive for more teams than it has been.

The Lady Tigers open their 2023 season this Friday when they host always tough Seeley in St. Regis. The leave the next more to take part in the Drummond Invitational, then play at Hot Springs Tuesday, August 29.

“We have an impressive turnout at both the varsity and JV levels this year,” Barnett said. “There are some good players coming up.”