This upcoming home game against Pattonville may determine how the Lady Knights volleyball team will compete with the rest of the season.

On Tuesday, Aug. 25 at 6 p.m., the girls varsity volleyball team will be competing against Pattonville for their first home game at North.

“We are hoping to have our coverage down and we are hoping to have everyone try their best,” junior Samantha Alexander said.

New Head coach Kaitlyn Early has been preparing the girls for the new season and believes that she is more than qualified to teach these girls and lead them to a winning season. Early was a Division 1 setter at Illinois State University and has competed with USA volleyball teams overseas as well as in the states. This experience could lead to their win at home against Pattonville.

“I have seen and played a lot of volleyball, which makes me very Knowledgeable about the game,” Early said. “I have tried to talk strategy with the girls pretty often and they are starting to really understand somethings that I am trying to get them to work on.”

With the new coach, the girls team is easily adjusting to a new culture of competitiveness. This could change the outcome of their season by changing their structure defensively and running a stronger offense.

“The girls have done a great job of making changes throughout our preseason,” Early said. “It’s always hard to get a new coach because they want to change a lot of little things but the team has honestly done really well.”

Last year, the Lady Knights tied with Pattonville 1-1 for the season . The team hopes to do better than last year against Pattonville to win their first home game.

“I’m excited,” sophomore Courtney Haislip said. “It’s always really exciting to come to the first game, everyone’s always nervous though but it’s always a fun time.”