By Janessa Cheney

The volleyball team has made a good impression on their 2nd year coach, Shelby Mosier, already in the young season. 

“I have been really impressed with how preseason has gone,” commented the coach.  

The volleyball girls have already started games on their young season. Their first game’s were in Hays August 19th against some very stiff competition, they unfortunately fell in all five games but played hard to the end losing to Olathe West 0-2, Salina South 1-2, Beloit 0-2, and Scott City 1-2. The Lady Eagles played Salina South again in tournament play, but again lost 1-2. While they came up short, it was evident that the team was able to get better throughout the day. 

“I think we have a great group of girls who are really wanting to have a great season. They are working really hard to build team chemistry and try to focus on being a solid team and not letting anything break that,” said Coach Mosier. 

That chemestry and improvement was evident at Lakin the following Tuesday. They won all their games upping their record to 3-5. In Lakin they defeated Holcomb 2-1, Lakin 2-1, and Ulysses 2-1. 

The Lady Eagles do have a young varsity team. They have four seniors this year, Avery Seiwert, Janessa Cheney, Hali Booi, and Alexa Carmichael. They have six juniors. Rilan Mackley, Brenn Stanley, Ali Flanigan, Alisabeth Barton, and Karli Hills. They have one sophomore, Shaylee Holzmeister.

“This group is a special group and I am so thankful that I have a whole team of girls who are working hard to make Colby Eagle volleyball relevant in our league,”further commented the coach. 

The Varsity Lady Eagles will next be in action September 7th in Holcomb. 

The Colby High School Girls Golf team has been as successful as any team over the past several years and this year should be no different. They have three returning golfers from their State Runner-Up team from last year, Anna Starbuck, Logan Nolan, and Natalie Wederski. 

Expectations are based on the past several years. They have been State Runner-Up the last four years. With recent success, the girls’ team has great numbers this year. Anna Starbuck, a three time top three finisher at State, and Anna Stramel round out the senior class. With them there are seven juniors, three sophomores, and five freshmen. Included with the underclassmen are three other State placers as both individuals and as members of the team.

The golf team plans to compete hard this year. In preparation, they started early this summer with team meetings along with having great numbers at their golf nights on Mondays during the summer that KSHSAA allowed. 

“We taught, worked, and had some fun during these once a week meetings.  Several girls also played a good amount on their own,” commented Williams.

Success is a process for a group that has several young contributors. The team plans develop and get better later towards the end of the season.

“We expect to compete hard and get better this year. While we have three varsity returners from our State Runner-Up team and have the best golfer in CHS history on our team this year, we are one of the least experienced teams overall that I have ever had,” stated Williams. 

  “We have great potential and I think we will be way better at the end of the season than we will be early,” he continued.  

“Consistent effort and improvement will be key as the 2023 golf season goes along. This group expects to get better and understands that our program is top notch. They are hard-working and committed to who we are and what we represent.”

The season began Thursday August 31st at Hugoton.  Results will be in a future issue of the Eagle Talon.