The Lady roadrunners get some practice time in before their first game of the season next Wednesday, September 5, against the Mt. SAC Mounties. When asked hoe the lady road runners would do this 2012 season, head coach Terri Esko responds, “I Definetely foresee us being at the to of the league.”

This year’s team has 14 players; half are returners and the rest are incoming freshman who “bring a lot of strength to the team,” says Esko.

The team’s starters have yet to be determined for next week’s game.

“We have a full week of practicing in order to determine wh our starting players will be, ” explained Coach Esko.

Captains this season are Rebecca Garcia and Amanda Gomez. Garcia and Gomez have been on the team for two years. ” Gomez was a red shirt practicing player in 2010 and 2011. This will be her second year playing and her third year at Rio Hondo College.

In 2010 the volleyball team was 11-8 overall, and last season they were 12-8. “We had a nice successful season in 2010 and 2011 and were just kind of bouncing off those successful seasons” Esko responded when asked how well the team would do this season. While watching the Lady roadrunners practice coach Esko works very well with her team, she peaks to them with encouragement and enthusiasm to keep them going.

“I motivate my players by pushing them to be the best they can, I encourage them to work out of their comfort zone and give them goals to work toward.”

Before a big game or especially their first game of the season, nerves are usually higher than usual, but according to coach Esko, she keeps her team on the right path.

“As for keeping them focused, i don’t let them slide on effort mentally nor physically. I am constantly driving them to get better, work hard and strive to improve.”

Rio Hondo will be traveling to Mt. SAC next Wednesday to get which will hopefully be, their first win.