Lady Rams Volleyball strives for greatness again

Antelope Union High School begins their volleyball season with hopes of making it to the 1A State Tournament for the third season in a row.

WELLTON, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Expectations are clear for the Lady Rams Volleyball program: Make state.

Head Coach and Antelope Union High School Athletic Director Rhona Taylor has stressed that making it to the 1A State Tournament for the third year in a row is a priority.

Getting to the tournament will be easier said then done. Luckily, players like Senior Defensive Specialist Naraloy Flores understand the recipe for success.

"Communication and being a part of family," Flores said. "We're really positive on the court, and we try to be more family outside of volleyball too, so it helps us communicate good."

Those are two keys the Lady Rams stress, but with a lot of turnover from last year, it could be hard to mesh right away.

"Last season we graduated quite a few seniors, most of them were all of our starters, so we're young, we're working hard," Coach Taylor said. "This younger team knows what it feels like to win. They've watched it. They want it."

Returning senior Isela Marquez is up for the challenge, as she steps into a bigger leadership role.

"I'm really just trying to help everybody," Marquez said. "I've been playing since middle school even, so if anyone just is lost, or just needs help, I'll try to be here for them."

Antelope's blueprint for success is simple: Hard spikes, excellent defense, great communication and becoming a family.

The Lady Ram's journey to their third straight run at state begins September 3 when they host Bagdad.