Season opens with Janesville Craig invitational Friday
By Dan Truttschel
Correspondent
After two weeks of practice sessions, the Big Foot volleyball team is ready to get the 2015 season started.
Big Foot travels to a two-day invitational at Janesville Craig this weekend. The Chiefs play at 9 a.m. Friday, while action Saturday begins at 8:30.
Second-year varsity head coach Caitlin Dowden has been pleased with her team’s effort leading up to this weekend.
“We have started out on the right foot,” she said. “We have scrimmaged twice and are getting better each time we step out on the court.”
Dowden added she knows the team she has now likely will be very different by the time the season ends later this fall.
“We have a young roster with great potential,” she said. “If we continue to improve at the rate we have thus far, we are hoping for great things.
“I believe we have a chance to contend for the top of the conference. However, a lot depends on how we adjust and make changes throughout the season.”
Dowden, a former Big Foot standout in her own right, said she expects leadership to come this year from captain Gloria Esarco, along with Kennedy Hehr, Julia Gilstrap and Alyssa Zillmer.
Those four will be counted on both on and off the court, Dowden said.
“I expect them to push our team each day so we can reach a higher level of play every time we step on the court,” she said.
Looking at the Rock Valley Conference, Dowden identified Brodhead as the team to beat.
Dowden will be assisted this year by Emily Nolen with the varsity, Chad Roehl with the JV an Alison Krick with the freshmen.
Big Foot opens its home schedule Tuesday, Sept. 8, when it hosts Beloit Turner.
