RANGELY | Before the first whistle of the regular season, the Rangely Panthers hit the court in Meeker for a two-day preseason camp—leaving with more than just court time, but a clearer picture of the team’s potential. The Panthers competed in a scrimmage tournament this past weekend, facing off against regional teams in a high-energy tune-up.
Though Rangely didn’t place as high as they had hoped, new head coach Angie Hill is encouraged by the growth and promise shown by her young squad.
“We didn’t place as high as we would have liked,” Hill said. “But there were some great things that we did do for being a young team. I’m excited for the possibilities for this team.”
Describing volleyball as a mental game, Hill said her expectations going into the tournament focused on attitude and resilience.
“My expectations were for the girls to be able to overcome mistakes and to be able to move on and keep playing,” she said. “Our team did a great job at staying positive no matter what.”
Leadership over the weekend came from seniors Kaelyn Geer, Addison Scott and Courtney Files, who set the tone for their teammates.
“They all showed leadership and set great examples for their younger peers,” Hill said.
The team’s freshmen rose to the occasion, handling pressure well in their first high school competition. The sophomores also displayed solid chemistry with upperclassmen, helping build team dynamics early in the season.
Hill said preseason practices will focus on refining skills and improving consistency.
“We will be breaking down all skills and building up on serve receive and communication to improve control on our side of the net,” she said.
She added that competing in the Meeker scrimmage was valuable not only for development but also for team confidence.
“The more time on the court playing together, the more trust they build with each other and their coaches,” Hill said.
This year’s senior class includes Addison Scott, Kaelyn Geer, Courtney Files, Aubrianna Tapia and Aaleigha Donovan. Several returning underclassmen are also expected to take on larger roles.
“There are several returning underclassmen and they all have the opportunity to do great things,” Hill said. “I’m looking forward to seeing how much they grow and develop throughout the season.”
With official practices set to begin Aug. 11, the Panthers are shifting their focus to fundamentals and communication. The Meeker camp provided an early look at the team’s strengths and areas for improvement, helping to set a competitive tone for the upcoming fall season. Backed by veteran leadership and a strong core of young players, Rangely heads into the year with confidence and a clear path for growth.
By JARED HENDERSON |
