Ulysses High School kicked off its fall sports season with practices beginning Monday, Aug. 17, followed by the Meet the Tigers Fall Showcase on Friday, Aug. 21.
Athletes participating in girls tennis, volleyball, cross country, cheerleading, girls golf and football were introduced throughout the evening, giving the community an opportunity to meet this year’s teams and coaches.
Girls tennis coach Andy Cole said the Lady Tigers are stacked with talent this season. With 10 players returning from last year, competition for varsity positions will be tough.
“We will be very competitive,” Cole said. “Coach Lauryn Payne and I are excited to get the year started.”
The Ulysses High School and Kepley Middle School cross-country teams are also preparing for an exciting season. Coach Shelley Gaddis expects approximately 40 runners to compete this fall.
“I’m proud of the commitment and mental toughness our athletes are showing in this heat,” Gaddis said. “I look forward to watching them grow both individually and as a team.”
The Tigers will host their home cross-country meet Tuesday, Sept. 22, beginning at 3 p.m.
The girls golf team is coached by Jack Wolf and Whitey Summers. The team currently has 12 golfers, including three seniors. The Lady Tigers will host their home golf tournament Monday, Sept. 14.
Kristina Graber begins her first season as head volleyball coach after coaching at the middle and high school levels since 2007. She is joined by assistant coaches Amanda Langley and Lauren Cossman. The Lady Tigers have 28 hardworking athletes this season, including seven seniors.
“I’m excited to begin my first season as head volleyball coach at UHS and grateful to take on this new role,” Graber said. “We’re excited for the season ahead and proud to continue building on the strong tradition of Lady Tiger Volleyball.”
Mitch Foote returns for his second year as head football coach. The Tigers have 44 players, including nine seniors, and return several athletes from last year’s 3-6 team. Although the team lost several key players to graduation, others are stepping into larger roles and learning different positions.
“We are very excited for the upcoming season,” Foote said. “The guys have done a wonderful job this summer with camps, practices and workouts.”
Foote said the returning players are showing more confidence as they begin their second year with the team’s offensive and defensive systems.
The Tigers will open their season at home against Syracuse on Friday, Sept. 4, at Maxwell Field.
The showcase marked the beginning of another fall season as UHS athletes prepared to represent their school and community.
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