COULEE CITY — This season, the Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors volleyball team will be looking to bounce back. Head Coach Katie Walsh said the team feels they fell short of what they wanted to accomplish last year.

“Definitely a feeling of disappointment at the end of last season, not getting where we hoped to get. I think we didn’t perform as well as we could have. I think it’s different if you’re playing at your peak when you need to and you come up short, but we just didn’t perform like we knew we could, and so that was a bummer,” Walsh said.

Last season, the Warriors finished 12-12. They graduated their only senior, Emma Whitaker, last season and return an experienced roster this season, Walsh said. She said the team was frustrated with last season’s ending.

As they head into the new season, they will be playing with a chip on their shoulder. Walsh calls that a good motivator on top of her players’ talents.

“It’s kind of my job as a coach to figure out how to use that talent and the best ways to get us the results that we want, and looking forward to cultivating some leadership in those upper classes and getting the job done,” Walsh said.

Walsh said she anticipates the layout of the league being a challenge for the Warriors. She said they play in one of the hardest leagues statewide. However, it pushes the team harder. Having experience playing against tough competition throughout the season will prepare them for a postseason run.

“It’s a blessing for us, but it means we have to be on our game from the beginning and compete at our best, and then hopefully just grow throughout the season, so that then we are prepared when it matters most,” she said.

Walsh said she feels the team’s passing and setting abilities will be a strength for them. Experienced players like Grace Okamoto, Naomi Molitor, Emma Brummett and Peyton Roberts will lead the Warriors in this effort, Walsh said.

Walsh said Okamoto, a junior, will be the team’s libero this season and looks ready to be a leader. Molitor, a senior, is a setter and one of the most coachable players Walsh has had. Roberts and Brummett will form a strong tandem in the middle for the Warriors. Brummett’s height at more than six feet tall, will be something Walsh will look to utilize this season.

“Even though we have those seniors, it was a couple years ago that we had a strong group ahead of them,” Walsh said. “As a coach. I have to remind myself that some of these girls have not quite tasted that, and so sometimes that’s in your favor, because there’s a little bit of naivety. They don’t play scared, but at the same time, I’m hoping for those who have experienced it to be able to lead the way and let these girls know it’s worth fighting for.”

ACH’s squad all share the mutual goal of earning their bid to the state tournament.

With strong competition in their league, all of the teams have evolved to compete at a high level, Walsh said. Remaining consistent will be key for the Warriors.

“You’ve got to be willing to not ever let your guard down and that consistency is what’s going to make those top teams different than the rest, so hoping to get more of that this year,” she said.

The Warriors head to Soap Lake on Sept. 9 for their first game of the season, with a start time of 6 p.m.

    Warriors volleyball player Grace Okamoto dives for a pass during a game last season. Head Coach Katie Walsh said Okamoto will be the team's lead libero this season and is ready to step into a leadership role.
  

    Warriors volleyball player Emma Brummett (13) jumps up to the net for a spike during a game last season. Head Coach Katie Walsh said Brummett's height will play to their advantage this season.
  

    Almira/Coulee-Hartline rising junior Grace Okamoto, in white, prepares to receive a serve against Mossyrock in the 1B State Volleyball Tournament in 2023. Head Coach Katie Walsh said the Warriors are motivated to get back to the state tournament this season.