ROCK SPRINGS – Building confidence, strength and endurance are important parts of early season volleyball play. For the Rock Springs Lady Tigers, getting valuable minutes will be important early on.

The Lady Tigers opened in Cheyenne with five matches against some of the top teams in 4A. The ladies dropped matches to Cheyenne Central and Laramie on day one and Cheyenne East, Cheyenne South and Sheridan on Saturday.

While Rock Springs showed strength – losing several close games and pushing South to a three-set match – Rock Springs head coach Stephanie Hardesty said the tournament also highlighted several of the team’s weaknesses. Hardesty said the team’s defense is not where it needs to be. She also said there were several spots in the tournament the Lady Tigers struggled hitting the ball solidly.

Coaches often use these tournaments to get players back up to game speed, try different sets and lineups, while getting younger players valuable varsity experience. Coach Hardesty said these tournaments also help build team chemistry as well.

Getting that varsity experience is important as most of the team only seen limited time at the top level last season. Hardesty said the opening tournament was “an eye-opening experience” for the ladies adjusting to the speed at the varsity level. The coach said she would have loved to give some of the younger players minutes, but unfortunately, the junior varsity and varsity teams were split up this past weekend.

This weekend, the ladies head to Gillette where they will see a variety of competition. They are scheduled to open with 2A Wright who had a strong opening tournament.  They beat Glenrock, Shoshoni, Torrington, Thermopolis, Big Horn and Buffalo on their way to a 6-0 start.

They will then face 3A Douglas in the middle of three matches on Friday. Douglas is also off to a hot start going 5-1 in opening weekend play. The Lady Tigers are scheduled to finish the first day with the host team Gillette. The Lady Camels opened the season 5-1.