RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - The Cordova Lady Lancers are going through growing pains and that's alright. 

On a volleyball team with just two seniors in defensive specialist Erica Bailey and middle hitter Lauren Huckleberry, the Lady Lancers (4-12 overall, 0-2 Metro League at press time) are a team without a ton of experience.

With seven juniors and five sophomores, the Lady Lancers are learning game by game, which hasn't translated on the scoreboard just yet but figures to pay off big time in the long run. 

The Lady Lancers have lost seven straight contests at press time, including their first two Metro League matchups against McClatchy and Kennedy last week.

Junior defensive specialist Isabel Stevenson makes another successful dig against Kennedy. Photo by Rick Sloan

Yet, if you watch the team in action or attend practice inside the auxiliary gym at Cordova, the positivity and energy is infectious. That all stems from head coach Jaimee Stevenson, who is cultivating a very strong team-oriented atmosphere. The vibes around the team remain high at all times regardless of what the outcome is on the court. 

That aligns with the goals Stevenson had in mind for her group prior to the start of the season.

"Our goal this year is to have mental endurance no matter what the scoreboard says," Stevenson said. "We start our practices every day self-assessing. How am I coming into the gym today? How am I feeling? What am I bringing? That mental endurance and camaraderie are our goals this year."

Junior defensive specialist Sophia Caceres makes a great dig on a hard Kennedy serve. Photo by Rick Sloan

 

The Lady Lancers are led by junior libero and team captain Isabel Stevenson, who is often one of the smallest players on the court yet can be seen routinely diving to the ground in an attempt to make a play on the ball. She plays with a toughness and tenacity that energizes her teammates throughout the course of a game and has been a huge bright spot for the group this season.

Additionally, a trio of sophomores in outside hitter Madisyn Keys, opposite Annabelle Cody and middle blocker Asena Qoro have all been solid contributors as the group continues to learn how to win. All the team’s youth will ultimately turn into experience moving forward and that bodes well for the future. 

The Lady Lancers are hosting league rival West Park on Oct. 7 with a start time of 6:30 p.m. inside the auxiliary gym at Cordova.