A year removed from its first double-digit wins season since 2016, the Purdy volleyball team is hungry — and young.

Barry Wheeler, Purdy volleyball coach, said though the team is largely sophomores and freshmen, with only one senior and no juniors, the Lady Eagles have plenty of potential.

“Our goal is to compete for conference and district titles,” he said. “Senior Lucy Lee returns from the 2023 season. She will be a setter playing six rotations, and a tri-captain. She has the most experience on the team playing for Elite Volleyball Club. She has solid technique overall, is a strong server and is Academic All-State.”

Being the only senior, Wheeler said Lee will be relied on heavily

in the leadership department.

“Lucy will be sharing the setting duties, attacking and be the primary passer on serve-receive,” Wheeler said. “She will be relied on to lead the program to the next level.”

A slate of sophomore returners aim to gain experience under that leadership, including Kenzi Postlewait, Shelbie Patterson, Chloe Prock and Casey Henderson.

“Kenzi moves from opposite hitter to outside hitter and six rotations,” Wheeler said. “She is a tri-captain and very athletic. She will be a primary passer, is a very intelligent player, has good leadership and is Academic All-State. Shelbie is a middle hitter and tri-captain. She is probably the most improved from last season and will be a primary hitter in our offense. She’s very aggressive, also has good leadership and is Academic All-State.

“Chloe moves from outside hitter to defensive specialist. She is a much-improved passer and a very vocal player. She’s a tough server, has the ability to play multiple positions when needed and is Academic All-State.” Another quartet of freshmen newcomers will vie for time on the floor, three of whom started for an undefeated junior high squad.

“Lauren Lamp is a setter and strong server with good hands,” Wheeler said. “She is very coachable and was a starter for the undefeated junior high A team in 2025. Laney Lamp is an outside hitter who controls the ball well and is a strong server. She’s also very coachable and started on the junior high team.

“Sophie Tyson moves from outside hitter in junior high to libero. She’s quick, has a good platform and is a strong server. A starter on the junior high team, she will be relied on heavily to dig and pass. Abigail Schroeder is a middle hitter and has really improved during the off-season. She is a great teammate and very coachable.”

Wheeler said as a whole, the team has many strengths, and experience only comes with time.

“Athleticism, serving and team chemistry are our strengths,” he said. “Reading the court and learning the game will come in time mostly being sophomores and freshmen.”

Purdy plays eight games at home and eight away, also participating in Southwest Volleyfest on Oct 4.

“A big game for us will be on Oct. 7 at home against Galena, being a conference game and Pink-Out Night,” Wheeler said. “Also, Oct. 17 at home against Blue Eye is a conference game and senior night.”

Wheeler said the strength of schedule overall is fitting for the age of the Lady Eagles, and the team’s academic success and team chemistry is what will set them apart from others.

Purdy opens the season at home on Thursday, hosting Thomas Jefferson with games starting at 5:30