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Copperhead netters hit the road for Tip Off

Carley Fink, left, Lindsey Seitzinger, Jo Forsberg, Kelsey Oxnam, Arieona Mattson, Sydnie Peterson, Isabell Saltenberger and Rylee Jo Johnson round out the returning volleyball players with varsity experience heading into the season. PHOTO COPYRIGHT COPPERHEAD COUNTRY

The game of volleyball is nothing new to Shane Jorgensen. With years as an assistant at the freshman and JV level under several coaches, it’s now his program. 
After the resignation of Brianna Saltenberger last year to spend more time with her growing family, Jorgensen set his sights on the position. And after summer of preparation with camps and workouts, he’s anxious to get the season started. 
“We’re all excited, the girls are approaching a new offense. It’s taking some time — they are nervous to try new stuff — but it’s been slowly getting better during practice,” Jorgensen said. “I think were past the point of the girls being afraid to not know where they are supposed to be, at least at practice anyway. Once the game starts, that could change quickly.”
Jorgensen brings back a healthy nucleus of returning letter-winners from a year ago, but height is yet again another issue. Where they make up for that is in athleticism. 
Although the starting lineup isn’t necessarily set, Jorgensen has a pretty good idea where the pieces may fall. 
At the net, Johanna Forsberg and Kelsey Oxnam will be on the outside while junior Arieona Mattson and sophomore Isabell Saltenberger will hit backside. Senior Sydnie Peterson will be the middle and also see some setting situations in Jorgensen’s 6-2 alignment. Senior Carley Fink will be setter and senior Ryley Jo Johnson and junior Maddison Collinsworth are in the mix to fill in where needed. 
The Tip Off is in Mission and Anaconda will play a collection of teams from the 7B. This year Jorgensen said it’s a modified Tip Off tournament, so he’s not getting as much game time as teams usually would in a tournament of this nature.
Nonetheless, the first-year head coach is anxious to get his team on the floor and see what they can do. 
“I know were excited to play, were going to be a lot more aggressive and see where it can take us,” he said. 

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