WILSON CREEK — The Wilson Creek Devils are ready for another season of volleyball as they return a little younger, but still experienced. This year, the Devils are striving to become more unified and play together as one. 

“I’m looking forward to watching this team come together and do something great,” said Devils Head Coach Shawn Shahan. “See them combine and work together and become one team. That’s our motto this year is ‘One team, one goal.’” 

Wilson Creek finished the season 6-14 last year and qualified for the district tournament after battling through the highly competitive Central Washington B League. The Devils made it into the first round of districts before ending their season against Easton.

Last year the Devils roster consisted of mostly younger players with the team being led by a group of juniors and no seniors. Although the team lost a few players in the offseason, Wilson Creek will be returning Cheyanne Dailey, Debi Horn, Lila Sackmann and Riley Larsen as seniors. 

Shahan said she is confident in the girls who are returning this season to act as strong leaders for the team and has already seen them step up and work with their younger teammates. 

“They’re super positive and helpful,” said the coach. “It’s always nice to have seniors, but it’s always sad at the same time.” 

Horn and Dailey said they are excited for the opportunity to once again come together with their teammates for their final ride on the volleyball team. Throughout this season, they are working on teamwork as they aim to have the Devils perform at their best while they step into leadership roles. 

“It’s fun because we’ve always had people we looked up to who were seniors,” said Dailey. “To be a captain, it’s a lot of fun.” 

As they work towards success this season, the seniors said it will be important to remain patient and have active communication with their teammates. Mostly they are excited to have fun and make the most of their season. 

“It’s sad that it’s our last year, but I’m definitely excited to play with the girls for the last time,” said Dailey. 

“(I’m looking forward to) just having fun together as a team,” said Horn. 

For the early part of the season, Shahan said many of the girls have been moved into positions they have never played before, and she is spending time getting those players familiar with those areas. With this, they are working heavily on their repetitions and footwork. 

“Playing scrappy, that’s what we’re going to have to end up doing this season,” said the coach. 

The main goal for the Devils this season is to really work on their mental game and try to not get down on themselves when things get tough during a game, she said. For each game, she wants the players to walk off the court with the knowledge that they played their hardest and did everything they could. 

Team bonding between the players will be a great asset for this returning squad this year, with each of the players showing familiarity with one another both on and off the court. 

“The plus side of being in a small school is they all are in classes together,” said Shahan. “They’ve all grown up together, so they are all friends, some are siblings, so the team camaraderie is there.” 

Wilson Creek begins their season on the road against Moses Lake Christian Academy Sept. 8 at 6:15 p.m.

    Devils senior Debi Horn during practice quickly responds to a hit from her teammates on the other side of the court.
  

    Wilson Creek junior Keely Cook connects with the volleyball to send it over the net during practice early in the season.
  

    Nia Sackmann, an eighth-grader from the Devils, smacks the ball over the net at an early-season practice.
  

    Devils sophomore Aubree Larson leaps up to hit the ball over the net during practice early in the season.