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COTTONWOOD -- After finishing last season with an 11-13 record, the Lakeview volleyball team will enter the 2026 season with a new head coach and plenty of returning experience.
Phillip Lalim will take over as the Lakers’ head coach this season, inheriting a group that graduated just three seniors from last year’s roster. With much of the team returning, Lalim is optimistic about what Lakeview can accomplish.
"We have a lot of good experience coming back," Lalim said. "We only graduated three seniors, so there is a lot of returning players. We also have had some good summer practices, and I am looking forward to the season with them."
That returning experience, combined with the work the Lakers have put in during the summer, has given Lalim plenty to be encouraged about heading into his first season at the helm.
Another quality that stands out to Lalim is the team’s energy and willingness to put in the work necessary to improve.
"The girls always want to keep getting better and better because they know what volleyball is like in the area, and want to compete," he said. "They have to put the time in every day, and they are doing just that."
With a new coach and a competitive area schedule ahead, the Lakers will inevitably face adversity throughout the season. Lalim believes how the team responds to mistakes and difficult stretches will be just as important as its physical ability.
His approach is to encourage the players to play confidently rather than worrying about making mistakes.
"My biggest thing is wanting the team to play loose, and not be afraid to make mistakes," Lalim said. "Volleyball is a game of mistakes, and it is so hard to win a game 25 to zero. It just comes down to who makes the least mistakes."
That mentality could be especially valuable for a Lakeview team that Lalim describes as versatile and scrappy. With multiple players capable of playing different positions, the Lakers have flexibility when it comes to their lineup and rotations.
Lalim also believes the team’s scrappiness will be an important asset once the games begin. The ability to chase down balls, extend rallies and continue competing through difficult points can make a difference in close matches.
With a new coach, a strong group of returning players and an emphasis on versatility and hard work, Lakeview will look to build on last year’s 11-13 record and compete throughout the season.
For Lalim, keeping the team confident, loose and willing to learn from mistakes will be key as the Lakers begin a new chapter.