PHOTOS BY GABE WOLF Junior Kassie Carpenter works on her sets during a break from drills Wednesday morning. Lady Badger volleyball coach Tracey Myers will rely on a mix of young players and returning starters this season, as Lampasas faces a new set of district opponents.

Myers has lost a crucial starter at setter, as one junior has opted to pursue homeschooling.

The Lady Badgers return four seniors, however -- three with varsity experience -- along with juniors Sarah Bishop and Kassie Carpenter, who played key roles on last year's varsity. A few sophomores may compete for varsity playing time and add much-needed height, as well.

"We'll have some speed and height we didn't have last year," Myers said.

The Lady Badgers will need those traits, the coach said, particularly when they face district foes Lake Travis, Pflugerville Hendrickson and Hutto -- a firsttime 4A squad that has advanced to the playoffs 19 years in a row.

Despite a 9-25 record last season, the Lady Badgers registered close scores against most opponents, Myers said. Players should compete well against Marble Falls, which Lampasas defeated last season, Myers said, and the coach hopes to notch a few extra district wins.

Sophomore Madison Morris, right, tries to smash a kill past coach Kristy Railsback during a workout on Wednesday. The Lady Badgers play their first official match Monday at Harker Heights, with Lampasas' home opener to follow Tuesday against Killeen Shoemaker. "We're hoping we can surprise one or two of them this year," she said.

The Lady Badgers' 6-2 offense will give the team flexibility with its setters and hitters, Myers said.

"We're not as predictable," she said.

Experience gained in summer league play also should help the Lady Badgers improve, said Myers. Four players spent significant time on the road traveling to Rockdale league matches, and other players competed in a Copperas Cove summer league.

With most district opponents playing club ball all summer, league play provides essential match experience, Myers said.

"They won't be quite as nervous," she said of her players. "The more you play, the better decisions you make."

Junior Sarah Bishop serves during practice Wednesday. Bishop and several other juniors competed extensively in summer league play, and coach Tracey Myers will look to those players, and returning seniors, for leadership. The Lady Badgers will have plenty of time to adjust to match play, as the team has more than two weeks of additional non-district play compared to last season. This year's district schedule begins Sept. 26 at Hutto. Lampasas will play at home just 11 times.

Workouts began Monday at 7:45 a.m. and have focused on fundamental skills, with team drills added in the middle of the week to prepare for today's scrimmage in Gatesville.

In her second year as Lady Badger head coach, Myers expects players to execute basic skills without having to think about mechanics in the middle of matches.

"We're going to be sharp," she said. "We have to react quicker."

The coach expects senior players to guide new varsity athletes and help the team keep its composure in tough matches.

"We will have some first-time varsity players," Myers said. "I want those seniors to step up and be the role models and the leaders."

Myers detected a renewed enthusiasm when players reported Monday, and she hopes the Lady Badgers can build on that as they begin the 2008 campaign.

"They came so far last year," the coach said. "I want them to keep a positive attitude and know they're improving."