By Alex Benzegala
Panhandle Post
The season opens tonight between to Western Conference foes as the Alliance Bulldogs travel to Gering to face their fellow bulldogs. Alliance Head Coach Manda Clarke is starting her 2nd season and says her team is excited to open the season against a quality program in Gering.
"Gering is always tough, it's always a battle of the Bulldogs, especially going to Gering, that's a tough place to play," Clarke said.
The Bulldogs will look to avenge a loss to Gering last season where Alliance had a 2-0 set lead before Gering stormed back to win the match 3-2. Gering took the season series with Alliance two matches to one.
Alliance lost three important senior's from last season's team that went 16-7, but they feel they have the right chemistry and returning players back that in include Jaelynne Clarke, Kinley Pfeffer.
Gering went 12-16 in 2022, and lost some important pieces from last year's team. However, sixth year head coach Amanda Cochrane tells Panhandle Post she has a good blend of youth and veterans. Gering will look to Senior All-Conference Libero Alex Gonzalez-Orozco and fellow All-Conference Ella Rotherham to Gering this season.
Thursday's match should be a good measuring stick for both teams, as the first serve is scheduled for 6:15 in Gering, radio coverage begins at 6:15 on KCOW 92.5 1400 and online at panhandlepost.com, click on KCOW.