CHADRON – The Chadron State College volleyball team is making strides after its first week of preseason practice, head coach Amy Spruiell said.

The Eagles will conclude their preseason camp with a scrimmage at 9 a.m. Saturday morning in Armstrong Gymnasium that is open to the public.

“Things are going really well,” she said. “We have some new kids who are doing some very nice things and they’re going to contribute to our team right away. It’s exciting.”

Spruiell particularly likes the progression of freshman middle hitter Jessica Jester and sophomore transfer Kristina Harter.

“Jessica has improved every day she’s been with us and Kristina has been a pleasant surprise with her ball control,” she said.

Harter joined the team at the start of preseason camp after transferring from Palm Beach Atlantic and Jester is a recent graduate of Cheyenne East High School.

In addition to Harter, Jester, freshman Kyla Duncan and transfer Kaitlin Luikens, Spruiell added four players after a tryout earlier this week. They are Alex Alderman, a freshman from Rapid City, Ashley Fanelli, a sophomore from Arvada, Colo., Kara Stockton a sophomore from Colorado Springs, and Aileen Ramirez, a sophomore from Clovis, Calif.

Spruiell said all four are good athletes – Alderman and Fanelli are also track and field student-athletes – and she appreciates their willingness to help the team.

Spruiell has also been impressed the performance of her returning players, which includes six sophomores, one redshirt freshman and one junior.

“Although we’re still young, they’re leading the team in the right direction and I’m happy to see that,” she said.