If Bayfield’s 2023 volleyball season was indeed a trial by fire for most of her varsity players, longtime head coach Terene Foutz is psyched to see in 2024 how strong bonds within her veterans were forged.
“You know, last year they were new to that—lots of talent, but inexperienced at that higher level,” said Foutz, reflecting only briefly on last year’s atypical 6-17 (3-5 3A Intermountain League) overall record. “So we’re very excited how they’ve put in a lot of time over the summer, and we have a very strong returning group.”
Foutz said the team returns 10 players and they have all been working hard in the summer with numerous girls attending college camps.
Practices officially begin Monday and though the preseason sessions won’t be as many as Foutz would prefer, she does have a knowledgeable core—featuring all three of last fall’s all-intermountain selections—to whom she can look to help bring everyone up to speed.
Now-senior Tanna Owens (First Team All-IML) is expected to return as the Wolverines’ top setter, but could again share the job with junior heir apparent Avery Shipman and thus become another attacking option. Senior middle/right-side Audrey Knapp (second team) should again anchor BHS’ front row, and junior Grace Barber (second team) will be an even more potent weapon after her ’23 breakout.
Senior Kambrie Byrd and junior Evelette Hollibaugh will also be vying for first-string spots, with junior Lauren Rich a leading candidate to replace the graduated Meili Lovejoy as a defensive specialist/libero. And to top it all off, another hard-hitter is expected to make a long-awaited comeback.
“We are returning, basically, five juniors and five seniors—and that includes the return of Christiana Sutherlin,” Foutz said. She missed her junior season with an injury, but she was Second Team All-IML as a sophomore. She is working very hard right now, and working in very well with the group.”
Tough opposition will yet again immediately greet Bayfield; the Lady Wolverines will travel to Montrose on the 22nd—only five days after Pagosa Springs’ annual preseason Pirate 4 Corners Scrimmages—then continue north to Delta the next day.
MHS went 8-0 in 4A/5A Southwestern play and ended up 17-11 overall after going 1-2 at the 2023 CHSAA Class 4A State Championships with a five-game win over Palisade sandwiched between losses to Parker-based Lutheran and Colorado Springs The Classical Academy.
“Montrose…they’re always good, a top-10 4A team,” Foutz said. “And Delta should be strong again this year even as a 4A team, so those are really great matches to open with.”
