After losing 3-0 to North Platte during districts last season, the girls volleyball team is looking for a win and to make it to state for the first time in 14 years. Under the guidance of new head coach Jessica Fauss, the players have been working hard since March and hope their work will pay off .

“This is the best district that we could’ve landed in,” Fauss said. “We’re healthy and have everybody back from all injuries, so I think that this is our best chance.”

The team will be traveling down to North Platte High School today, Nov. 4  to face Omaha Central and, depending on their performance, will then face Lincoln High or North Platte. Junior Katie Chalupa, a varsity starter, hopes to be a leader during their games and communicate with the younger girls on the team.

“Being my third time playing in districts, I feel like I know what to expect,” Chalupa said. “Freshman year was a lot more comforting for me because I had Cara Treu and Sam Duncan to help calm me down, but now I feel like I have to fill in their spot and lead the team.”

To strategically prepare for the game, Fauss has been helping the team focus on adjusting to North Platte’s offense and making sure everyone is communicating. Whether the team advances to state or if the team’s season ends tonight, Fauss’s expectation is that the girls will end the season playing as hard as they can.

“I want them to go down fighting,” Fauss said. “I don’t want to make a lot of errors. I want to get beat, not beat ourselves.”