Coming off their winningest season in 16 years, the Lone Tree Lion volleyball team couldn’t wait to get started with regular season practice this week. The Lions welcomed community members to Lone Tree High School at midnight Monday morning to begin the season with a glow in the dark volleyball tournament. Co-head volleyball coach Lora Sieverding says the event was designed to build excitement for the upcoming season and to make the start of the season fun for the athletes.

The court was lined in glow in the dark tape and their were glow necklaces on the nets and around the players’ necks to help provide light for the event. The tournament lasted two-and-a-half hours, and the Lions’ varsity team practiced for an extra hour afterwards. Sieverding was so pleased with the turnout that the team is considering making the glow in the dark tournament an annual kickoff to the volleyball season.

The Lions are bringing back contributors from last season’s 16-11 campaign. Senior Elena Sieverding, daughter of coach Sieverding, is back to lead the Lions’ squad. She finished last season as Lone Tree’s leader in kills (232) and blocks (30), was second on the team in digs (322), and concluded the year third on the squad in aces (24). Senior Liz Dodson is the only other returner with over 100 kills in 2015, smashing 124 balls to the floor. Dodson led the team in aces (47) and digs (331).

The first match of the 2016 season for the Lone Tree Lion volleyball team is scheduled for August 22nd, taking part in the Keota Tournament.