JUDA — The Panthers will play their truncated volleyball season under a new coach this fall. Maren Huntsman takes over the program from Scott Anderson, bringing three years of club volleyball coaching experience with her. Former Juda athlete Mackenzie Byrne will be her assistant.

“Well, with the (COVID-19) pandemic going on, my number one goal is safety,” Huntsman said. “I haven’t had a chance to see the girls play yet, but I want to focus on the fundamentals.”

The Panthers lost a trio of all-conference players from last year’s team, which finished at the bottom of the barrel in the Six Rivers East. Montana Steinmann (second team), Taylor Golackson and Triniti Elmer (both honorable mention) were longtime starters in the program but graduated at the end of this past school year.

Jocelyn Rufer and Maddie and Miah Roth are all returning seniors, while juniors Morgan Schneeberger, Susan Farias, Libby Jordan and sophomore Ciarrah Davis also return to the lineup.

“I have heard great things about the players and have no doubt they are coming ready to practice and play hard,” Huntsman said.

Along with emphasizing fundamentals, Huntsman plans on helping instruct various other important skills on and off the court “and grow even stronger as a team,” she said.

The Six Rivers East will play just conference games this fall in preparation for any postseason tournament that may happen. That means there will be just 12 matches on the season. Juda opens its schedule Sept. 15 at home against Argyle.