With a new coach, a few new players and a state tournament appearance still in their memories, the Mingus Union volleyball team approaches the new season with a fresh perspective.
Coach Amanda Puckett, who previously coached both volleyball and softball in Idaho, said that being new to both the area and the team gives her a singular purpose.
“My goal is to focus on my girls and make sure I’m pushing them to the best of their ability,” Puckett said. “I don’t know what other teams we’re playing, so I don’t have an expectation of everybody else which is probably a good thing because I can focus on what we need to do and focus on my girl’s talent and just push them to where I know they need to be, and where they can be.”
After a slow start last season, the Marauders won 11 or their last 13 regular season games including a huge victory over the eventual Division IV state champions, the Sedona Red Rock Scorpions, and a first round victory over Catalina in the state tournament before bowing out in the second round to Tuba City.
Gone from that team are four players, including co-captains Bailey Mabery and Delaney Scanlan, as well as head coach Brian Herman.
The good news is, the Marauders have three returning starters, and several other talented players ready to step into the starting rotation.
For the full story, please see the Wednesday, Aug. 21 issue of the Cottonwood Journal Extra.
