Photo by Jake Przytarski The 2019 Lakeview Lakers volleyball team includes front row (L to R): Jaci Hubbard, Payton Timm, Kiana Imes, Morgan Summerfelt and LeeAnn Stensrud. Middle Row (L to R): Kailey Hinz, Sidney Geistfeld, Emma Louwagie and Bailey Herigon. Back Row (L to R): Trinity Broberg, Kaitlynn Bot, Savanna Louwagie, Bradlyn Gniffke, Kaitlin Fischer and Savannah Rausch.

COTTONWOOD – Under first-year head coach Stephanie Hennen, the Lakeview volleyball team is hoping to build off of last season’s 15-13 finish with a large senior class ready to lead the way in what should be another exciting 2019 season for the Lakers.

Of the team’s six seniors, LeAnn Stensrud, Savannah Rausch, Sidney Geistfeld and Kaitlin Fischer were all called upon to make large contributions to last year’s team as juniors.

Coach Hennen expects the experience to translate to a strong front row this season.

“Our front row is going to be pretty strong,” said Hennen. “I think our hitting and blocking should be pretty decent (as well).”

So far in practices, Hennen has emphasized passing and serve-receiving as they will be determining factors in how well they do this season.

“(I) always worry about passing, serve-receiving and defense,” said Hennen. “I mean if you can’t do any of that then you struggle, so we’re hoping to really work hard on that.”

Knowing that the goal of improvement is a gradual process, Hennen has been focusing on seeing strides made on a practice to practice basis.

“(We) just want to get better every night and just keep improving,” said Hennen. “(We) don’t need to start out up here, you need to finish up there.”

When it’s all said and done, Hennen’s goal is to end the season at or near the top of the deep Camden Conference.

“We hope to finish at or near the top of the conference,” said Hennen. “That’s always the goal no matter where you are.”

The Lakers will open the 2019 season with a non-conference matchup against Redwood Valley at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday at home. Lakeview won’t begin Camden Conference play until Sept. 3 when they take on Dawson-Boyd.