The Lady Vikings have some experience, although not alot of depth, in each position. Junior Jessica Hobaugh of Tulsa, Okla., Is coming off an all-HAAC campaign and junior Kay Lynn Wilson of Orange Park, Fla., is just as strong. I'm expecting a lot from them. Welker will have to do the most juggling on the back line, where all-conference defender Rana Swails was a mainstay for three years. Juniors Amie Hankel and Ashleigh Rush, both of Blue Springs, got in plenty of work and sophomore Molly McDonogh of St. Charles is ready to move up.
Valley is fortunate in that it has had strong goalkeeping in the last three seasons.
In 1996-97, it was Juanita Martinez who sparkled. She had to redshirt last year, but the Lady Vikings didn't miss a beat. Sophomore Kelli Edwards of Owasso, Okla., was second in the league in the net with a 1.50 goals against average and seven shutouts. That's really rare to find in a freshman in any sport.