Volleyballs are flying through the air at a rapid pace in the new Hartselle High school’s Auxiliary gym this week as volleyball players ramp up their efforts to develop championship caliber skills for the 2013 season.

Practice started with workouts from at 6 to 9 a.m. and got even tougher later in the week with an extra hour being tacked on.

Did the players mind early workouts?

“Not really, ” said head coach Tanya Lybarger. “They were willing to settle for having the rest of the day to themselves. And working in an air-conditioned environment helps a lot.”

Lybarger said the focus of practice sessions is to develop better ball control and play the game at a faster pace.

“We have more experience on the court now than we did last year,” Lybarger said, “and we want to be able to use that to our advantage.”

Lybarger said the team is working hard and focusing on what lies ahead instead of looking back to the 2012 season when the Lady Tigers won the Class 5A state championship.

“This is a new year and our players have a target on our backs,” Lybarger pointed out. “They’re going to have to stay focused every second and every minute they’re on the court.

Missing from the team are two seniors who graduated and another member, Class 5A Elite Eight MVP Taylor Dellinger, who moved out-of-state.

Varsity players returning are seniors Taylor Lybarger, Melissa-Paul Hill, Haley Jared, Sarah Ellen Battles, Katy Beth Bole, Claire Forsythe, Hannah Warren and Jordan Barbrey.

Mary Claire Swann, Catherine Bodley, Bailey Powell and Megan Zuck have moved up from the junior varsity.

This team participated in a summer camp at the University of South Alabama, finishing second to McGill-Toolen of Mobile. It also participated in play dates at Guntersville and Danville.

The Lady Tigers will open their season at Curry on Aug. 29 in a tri-match with Curry and Addison. One of the highlights of their season will be to host their own tournament in the new Hartselle High School gym Sept. 13-14.