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When practice began a few weeks ago, it appears as if Eckel's pre-season prediction turned out to be true.

The Panthers return four players in 2008 with at least two years of varsity volleyball experience. After last season's team posted a regular season record of 10-24-4 and ended up with a sixth place finish in the final Flint Metro League standings; Eckel knew that her team had no where to go but up for this season.

"We seem more focused this year that we did last year," Eckel said. "We have more experience this season as well. I hope to finish better this season than we did last year.

"I have an athletic, hard-working group of players (this season)."

Eckel lost just three players from a year to graduation, so this season, the Panthers will have a team with a little more varsity volleyball experience than last year. Eckel expects senior setter Tessa Frieling to use her three years of varsity volleyball to provide the Lady Panthers with leadership.

A trio of Panthers have at least two years in the books on the Lapeer West volleyball courts. Senior middle hitter Stephanie Kossak will look to anchor the middle of the court for the Panthers. Senior Christine Delvecchio will hold down the right side of the net for the third straight season. And junior Lindsay Thomas will rotate between middle and side hitter for Eckel and the Panthers in 2008.

"Our outside hitters will play all the way around," Eckel said. "And we have two sophomores that played junior varsity last year and then finished the season for us on the varsity.

"We expect both of those players to contribute as well."

Jessica Eckel and Liz Gupton are both sophomores who are expected to start for the Lady Panthers in 2008. With a tough road ahead between season tournaments and the always grueling Flint Metro League conference schedule, Eckel expects just one thing from her team this season.

"I think this season will be very exciting for us," Eckel said.

Andrew Selich is Sports Editor at The County Press. He can be reached at (810) 664-0811 ext. 8124 or andrew.selich--lapeergroup.com.

Lapeer West volleyball 2008 schedule
08/23/08 -- Bad Axe Tournament
09/06/08 -- Grand Blanc Invitiational
09/11/08 -- Kearsley High School 7:00PM
09/13/08 -- Mt Morris Invitational
09/16/08 Fenton High School 7:00PM
09/18/08 -- Oxford High School 7:00PM
09/20/08 -- Durand Invitational 9:00AM
09/23/08 -- Brandon High School 7:00PM
09/25/08 -- Carman-Ainsworth High School 6:00PM
09/27/08 -- Frankenmuth Tournament 9:00AM
09/30/08 -- Lapeer East High School 7:00PM
10/07/08 -- Swartz Creek High School 7:00PM
10/14/08 -- Linden High School 7:00PM
10/16/08 -- Holly High School 7:00PM
10/18/08 -- Owosso Invitational 9:00AM
10/21/08 -- Clio High School 7:00PM
10/25/08 -- FML Tournament