Bakersfield Lady Lions open volleyball season by hosting Dora Thursday

The Bakersfield Lady Lions volleyball team will open its season Thursday, Aug. 27, hosting the Dora Lady Falcons.The junior varsity match is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., followed by the varsity match at 6:30 p.m.

Bakersfield is coached by Suzanne Montague and returns six seniors: Khloe Simmons, Riley Summers, Mia Swenson, Abbigail Guffey, Nikki Enos and Marlee Maynard. The Lady Lions’ junior players are Shiloh Bean, Eden Cotter, Shania Foster, Aubrey Freas, Hayley Norton and Jenna Winrod. Sophomores are Alexis Clarkson and Addison Mayberry.  Freshmen are Ryder Black, Natalie Durham, Leslie Luna and Isabella Tello.

Dora, coached by Brandi Montgomery, also returns six seniors: Karly Bettis, Brailyn Hambelton, Haley Perkins, Rayne Robinson, Makihya Smith and Ellie Ullom.

The Lady Falcons’ junior players are Bailey Bettis, Montgomery Mitchell and Brynlee Walker. Sophomores are Kendra Girdley, Jamie Hall, Fay Schmitt, Emma Shaw and Sydney Watkins.

“The Lady Falcons volleyball team is a growing program with record-high athlete participation this year,” said Dora Coach Brandi Montgomery. “We are looking forward to building off of what we started last season, with a strong group of senior leadership and six returning starters. The pieces are starting to come together in the puzzle and the girls are buying into the program. They have worked hard in the off season and I look forward to seeing what they bring to the court this year. I believe we will surprise a few teams.”