The Window Rock Lady Scouts and Chinle Lady Wildcats hope to make a serious run at the 3A volleyball state tournament.

WINDOW ROCK LADY SCOUTS

Window Rock returns five players, including four starters from last year's team that finished 16-20 last year. Returning starters for the Lady Scouts are senior setter Shawntai Allen, senior outside hitter/middle hitter Kristen McMahon, senior middle hitter Jana Solee and sophomore outside hitter Alexis Tsosie-Hood.

Senior middle hitter Shavonna Yazzie is a returner for Window Rock.

First-year players for Window Rock include junior outside hitter Amya Ashley, junior setter Makayla Curtis, junior libero Leighianne Dale, junior defensive specialist/outside hitter Alyisha Hale and sophomore middle hitter Hannah James.

Also, sophomore middle hitter/outside hitter Mikaela Roanhorse, senior outside hitter Jacey Sayetsitty, freshman setter Taylor Shorty, sophomore outside hitter Robey Talkalai, and junior outside hitter Hope Wauneka.

Window Rock head coach Amelia Holtsoi, who enters her 34th year, said it's early in the season and right now the Lady Scouts are working on team chemistry.

"I would say we are pretty balanced and trying to find our (team) strength to put it all together," Holtsoi said. "We are working on consistency and our mental game."

Holtsoi said for the Lady Scouts to become a region and state contender is working on aspects of the team's mental game and putting things together to become a consistent squad.

Holtsoi said the team's biggest question marks this year is following through with the team's goals that they have set for themselves.

"Of course, we can't predict the future, but we want to make it into the state playoffs and get beyond the first round," Holtsoi said. "Our ultimate goal is to qualify for the state tournament, but to get there, we have to work daily on all skills, our mental game, which includes strategic plays, team effort, consistency and the will to want it all."

Holtsoi said she is looking forward to an exciting year for the team.

In addition to Window Rock, 3A North Region teams are Ganado, Chinle, Monument Valley, Tuba City and Page.

Window Rock opens its volleyball season this Tuesday, hosting the Pinon Lady Eagles at 6 p.m. with the varsity. The junior varsity team plays at 5 p.m. at the Window Rock Events Center in Fort Defiance.

CHINLE LADY WILDCATS

Chinle second-year head coach Francine McCurtain said she has a great group of young ladies who are willing to work hard.

"One of our strengths is our positive mindset and unselfishness," McCurtain said. "We have some height in our line up and we have two great returning starters who will lead this year."

Returning starters for the 11-7 Lady Wildcats are senior middle hitter Tea Murray and senior outside hitter Leilani Black.

Also, returning are junior libero Namioka Honie and junior outside hitter Katana Benslow.

First-year varsity players include senior hiddle hitter Josephine Bitsui, senior defensive specialist/outside hitter Sierra Martinez, junior setter Cheyenne Yazzie, junior setter Mariah Benally, sophomore outside hitter Asia Bia, sophomore outside hitter Lashanta Benalley, sophomore outside hitter Aisha Ashley, sophomore setter Cauy Jones and freshman setter Shaundiin Yazzie.

McCurtain said a key to a successful season is to challenge every team the Lady Wildcats face.

"Every team has their unique style and strengths," McCurtain said. "We need to become great defenders and play every ball we can. To become state contenders, we would need to play consistent and learn to attack. We are very young this year. One of our starting setters is a freshman, so we would need to give her confidence to be competitive. Last year we were able to make post-season with a play-in game. We would have to do great conference-wise, to make state. We always have post-season on our mids. We always want to make it to state."

McCurtain said the Lady Wildcats' expectations is to become a fluid transition team from defense to offense.

"We are willing to fight for evert point and play with 100 per cent effort," McCurtain said. "My expectation is to surpass last year's team and make it to state. We will always try and win/lose....we are going out with our best mindset every game to do our best."

Chinle participates in the 3A North Region. The region consists of Window Rock, Ganado, Monument Valley, Tuba City and Page.

Chinle opens its volleyball season this Tuesday at St. Michael, facing the Lady Cardinals at 5 p.m.