The Opp Lady Bobcats’ volleyball team lost several seniors for last year’s team, but they are ready to show they aren’t in a rebuild year.

“I expect big things from this team,” Lady Bobcats’ head coach Bridgett Brantley said. “We lost six seniors so you might look at it as a rebuilding year, but these girls have come on strong this summer.”

Brantley said that she expects her team to shock people this season.

“Most people are going to look at how many players we lost and think that we are rebuilding,” Brantley said. “This group has really stepped up to the challenge. They don’t want to take some lumps at the beginning of the season. They have worked hard all summer to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

The Lady Bobcats are excited to get the year started, Brantley said.

“They are super excited,” Brantley said. “They are ready for the challenge. Everytime Coach High (Aaron Hightower) comes in he says, ‘There is so much energy in this room.’ Others have told me they can hear us outside and feel our energy. As a coach, I love hearing that. It’s great.”

The Lady Bobcats open the season on Aug. 25 in the Kinston tournament where they will play Geneva, Pleasant Home and Straughn.