WARDEN – The Warden Cougars volleyball team is tracking another run at the state tourney this year with new head coach Katie Roylance leading the team. The coach wants to maintain a winning culture this season. 

“You have those returning players who know where that expectation is and I’m probably just going to bump that bar up just a little bit and just try and hold that expectation,” said Roylance. 

The Cougars ended the last season 14-10 and went on to battle into the state tournament, where they earned third overall. This year the team is starting with three seniors, Miranda Martinez, Amaya Erickson and Jamylex Pruneda.  

Last year was the second in a row the Cougars made it to state play. Martinez said it was a good learning experience for her and other players on the team, as it was their first time making the state tournament. 

“I’ve definitely learned a lot about the game,” said Martinez.  

The experience of competing at the state level was something made possible by the efforts of the seniors that came before them, said Erickson. 

“The older girls have all been great role models that we can learn from,” she said. 

Pruneda said the team graduated five seniors last year which required adjustments for the returning three as they are now working with a younger group.  

“It’s just a lot of practicing, getting used to stuff and trying to get back to the game,” she said. 

This year's seniors said they are focused on building up the bonds on the team and mentoring the younger players. 

“I think we need to work on communication to be the best that we can and all work together great,” said Erickson. 

Alongside the seniors are returners Hannah Roylance and Brittany Cole who were both key starters last year, said the coach. 

The team is focused on learning to work together with full intensity through the whole game and remain focused on another state run, Roylance said.  

“I think we’re going to be able to do some cool things this year offensively,” she said. 

Roylance comes into the position of head coach with experience playing in high school and college. When she came back to Warden after getting married, she started as the seventh-grade volleyball coach at the middle school moved around coaching the high school’s C-team and JV squads. 

“I love seeing kids challenge themselves,” said Roylance. “I like when they have success and learn that new skill or they push themselves just that little bit more and they have that self-awareness of, ‘I can do hard things, and I can get better by pushing myself.’ That type of stuff is really fun to see” 

The Cougars first game of the season will be on the road against Ritzville High School Tuesday Sept. 9 at 6:30 p.m. 

    Jamylex Pruneda, one of the seniors with the Cougars this season, works on her serves during a warmup exercise at practice. Pruneda said that the efforts of the five seniors benefitted them last season and hopes to put in the same work as a senior this year.
  

    Cougars' senior Miranda Martinez gets up after diving for the ball during a practice match. Martinez said she is excited to return to the court this season as the team makes another run toward the state tournament.
  

    Head coach Katie Roylance works with a player at one of the early-season practices. Roylance worked closely with the Cougars’ varsity team last season and is planning to continue the culture that has been built there over the years.
  

    Two Cougars players working together during a practice match to get the ball back over the net. The coach and the seniors on the team said the team’s ability to work together throughout the season will be crucial to their success.
  

    A Cougar player leaps into the air as she serves the ball during warmups at practice. The Cougars have made the state tournament the past two years and are working to return to the tournament again this year.