By Jaclyn Yingling jyingling@theprogressnews.com

FLINTON — Last season, the Glendale girls went 3-19 under first-year coach Kurt Mattern. Now the Lady Vikings will try to improve with another new head coach in Beth Campbell.

To do that, Glendale will have to replace their leading scorer in Makenzie Lukehart.

“The majority of the scoring from last year graduated and that is always a tough thing to come back from,” said Campbell. “We have really been focusing on moving the ball to find an open shot and everyone needs to take the shot when it’s available. I really expect very balanced scoring from 5-6 players.”

The team returns five letterwinners in seniors Sydney Lumadue, Molly Mulhollen and Brooke Smeal, junior Madison Lukehart and sophomore Olivia Reese.

Campbell says she is expecting a lot from her returners.

“I am expecting them to be team leaders and give 100 percent,” she said. “I believe they all are improving every practice and expect them to have a successful year.”

Reese lettered as a freshmen last season and looks to make an impact along with some other underclassmen.

“Sophomore Olivia Reese and freshman Kyla Campbell will take care of the majority of our ball handling and they both are legitimate shooting threats along with strong defensive skills,” Coach Campbell said. “Sophomore Lilley Vereshack provides a great spark coming off the bench, she’s a pure athlete and I look for good things from her.”

Coach Campbell says she will look to a combination of her senior letterwinners Mulhollen, Smeal and Lumadue to be starters, along with Lukehart, Reese and Campbell.

Campbell said her team strengths are strong outside shooting, good ball handling and a strong presence under the net.

The team has been focusing its work on being aggressive on defense.

Coach Campbell says, “it is a work in progress.”

The teams goals are to be competitive in every game and to strive for a .500 season and a playoff appearance.

“I am very happy through pre-season and scrimmages how unselfish and team oriented these girls have been,” said Coach Campbell. “If they continue that, I foresee a great season.”

Campbell will be assisted by Jim Campbell.

Glendale opens its season on Dec. 14, traveling to West Branch.

Roster

Seniors

*Sydney Lumadue, *Molly Mulhollen, *Brooke Smeal.

Juniors

Debbie Downs, *Madison Lukeheart.

Sophomores

*Olivia Reese, Lilley Vereshack, Faith Warwick.

Freshmen

Kyla Campbell, Hanna Noel, Ariann Richards, Cindy Richards, Abby Williams, Bailee Wimberly.

*Denotes returning letterwinners.

Schedule

December

14—at West Branch. 17—Saltsburg, 7 p.m. 19—Moshannon Valley. 21—at Juniata Valley. 26-27—at Williamsburg Holiday Tournament, TBA.

January

2—at St. Joseph’s, 6 p.m. 3—Bellwood-Antis. 8—at Williamsburg. 9—at Harmony. 11—at Claysburg-Kimmel, 7:15 p.m. 15—Mount Union. 16—Curwensville. 18—West Branch. 21—at Moshannon Valley, 7:15 p.m. 23—Juniata Valley, 7:15 p.m. 28—at Bellwood-Antis. 30—at Curwensville. 31—Williamsburg.

February

4—Claysburg-Kimmel, 7:15 p.m. 5—Harmony. 7—at Mount Union.

All games begin at 7:30 p.m. unless noted.