By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–The Helena Huskies volleyball team is entering its second season as a program and the Huskies are looking to build on the success they achieved last season after making it to the postseason.

Helena finished second place in their area tournament and advanced as a two seed in the regional tournament. The Huskies received a tough break in the regional tournament draw, as the Huskies lost to the St. Paul’s Saints, who would eventually go on to win the AHSAA 5A volleyball State Championship.

Helena head coach Amanda Lewis is entering her second year at the helm and discussed some of the characteristics and the mindset she expects to see out of her players.

“We do enforce more than just being a volleyball player,” said Lewis. “I feel like the players learn a lot from being on the team. They learn to be responsible and to have accountability and what it means to be a teammate. The thing we’ve been focusing on is being competitive and having a competitive nature. Not only in volleyball, but also in the community and to be a good athlete and an even better student athlete.”

The Huskies graduated just four seniors from last season’s team and Lewis said all of the starters will be back to compete in 2015.

“The team overall I’m expecting a lot out of everyone,” said Lewis. “It gives me a tough time making the roster. I’m expecting a lot out of senior Artasia DeBose and junior Jen Brown, who was pulled up from the junior varsity team last year. Defensively, I hope to see a lot of good things out of Mekhi Mayfield.”

Lewis said she isn’t concerned as much about wins and losses, but more so that her team continues to get better against good competition.

“I try to play a different schedule each year and try to make it more competitive,” said Lewis. “I judge our team more on how we develop and not always on wins and losses.”

Helena’s first volleyball match is against Minor on Monday, Aug. 31 at Minor.