Logan's Lady Longhorns work on passing drills as they prepare for Thursday's season opener.

Tucumcari freshman Jade Arguello practices her serve during a workout on Tuesday.

As the 2009 high school volleyball season gets under way, area coaches are adjusting their teams after losing veteran seniors and gaining green freshmen.

“This is going to be a rebuilding year for the (Logan Lady) Longhorns,” said Coach Cecil Boatman.

Boatman said the loss of seniors Megan Frost, Tiffany Rachor and Laken Humble have left some big gaps that need to be filled.

“We have some height on our team,’ Boatman said. “But many of the players are young.”

The younger Lady Horns will be turning to the seniors for leadership this season. They are: Kylah Martinez, Jessica Aguleria, Destanie Sena and Christen Landry.

The Lady Longhorns kick off their season at 4:30 p.m. Thursday at Melrose.

House opened its volleyball season Tuesday night at Melrose.

San Jon opens at 4:30 p.m. Thursday when it hosts Dora.

Tucumcari Lady Rattlers head coach Tony Alarcon is optimistic and pleased with what he saw from his team on Monday as they played the Elida Lady Tigers.

“We lost the game but we stayed in there the whole way through,” Alarcon said. “The team played with a lot of positive energy throughout the game.”

The Lady Rattlers are returning with most of their players as they only lost two seniors, Kadi Powers and Kaitlin Lopez.

Alarcon said the Lady Rattlers played aggressive and had good transitions with fast footwork.

“We worked as a team,” said junior Lorri Harmon. “We lost only by two points in the final game, last year we lost by 10 points.”

“Our teamwork is a lot better than it was a year ago,” said junior Tori Carmichael.

The Lady Rattlers will have strong leadership on the floor with seniors Mariah Meier, Kristen Rich, Deidra Lopez and Lauren Chacon, Alarcon said.

The Lady Rattlers’ next game is at 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 3 against the Elida Lady Tigers at the Snake Pit.