Some coaches would be wary to have a young team prior to the start of another season. But not Katie McLintock.
The second-year Park City High School girls’ volleyball coach said she’s already seen the vitality and aggressiveness of players of all ages in tryouts and practices. She said the best players will get their shot at cracking the varsity rotation, regardless of class.
“I’m excited for this season already because we have so many younger girls that have a lot of experience and who have played for a while.
“They’re really pushing my upperclassmen. Everything is really competitive already. I think it will continue as every girl is expected to push for their spot,” McLintock said.
“They’re still coachable and still eager to play. It makes it a lot of fun,” she added. “Our seniors are great leaders and I think our team will be more cohesive than last year’s.”
Asked to pinpoint a positive in this week’s practice, McLintock said, “It was a competition. They were fighting for it. This whole week they’ve been going at it. I don’t have to remind them to hustle. That makes me really happy.”
She said she will look to lean upon Shelby Johnstun, Hailey Whipple and Maggie Avila, who are key returning role players from last season.
“I know (Whipple and Avila) will be my middles,” McLintock said. “They’ve really improved from last year. I’m really excited to have an exciting middle-attacking game.”
McLintock also singled out freshmen Sammee Thomas and Summer Dvorak, who should crack the rotation.
“They’re really small, but have a lot of ball control,” she said.
Historically, volleyball hasn’t been the most popular sport in Park City, but if this year’s turnout is any indication, the program is gaining a following.
The Miners have four teams: freshmen, sophomore, junior varsity and varsity. McLintock said she has a total of 38 players in the four teams.
The second-year head coach admits she is much more comfortable in this her sophomore season at the helm.
“Way more comfortable, way more relaxed this year,” said the former star player at Westminster College. “I’m a lot more organized. I now just get to coach, which is a lot more fun.”
The youthful Miners kick off their season Tuesday at Duchesne looking to improve on their 3-12 finish in 2010.
The revamped Region 10 no longer has powerhouse Carbon, but adds Juan Diego, Judge Memorial and Uintah. Juan Diego finished second in the 3A state tournament in 2010.
“The goal each year is to obviously do better than the last,” McLintock said. “Already, I think we’re at a good start for that. I think we need to continue to compete and compete every single game.
“I’ll have more of an idea where I want to set the bar after our first tournament, but obviously I plan on going to state. That is, without a doubt, something you should always be going for.”