photo by: Richard Gwin

FSHS senior Larissa Gaumer participates in camp on Wednesday, June 15, 2016, at Free State.

After winning 23 matches last year, things are moving a little faster for Free State High’s volleyball team this summer.

The Firebirds are more comfortable playing under second-year coach Amy Hoffsommer, knowing what to expect in each practice. Plus, one of their main objectives on the court is speeding up their offense.

Playing faster with the ball creates more pressure on opposing defenses, and it will be comparable to some of the top teams in the state.

“Last year, we would run a quick offense, but teams like Olathe East and stuff, they run really quick offenses,” senior Natalie Clarke said. “We’re just trying to catch up to the other teams in our league and get as quick as them so that we can play at higher level.”

photo by: Richard Gwin

Free State High volleyball coach Amy Hoffsommer demonstrates during camp on Wednesday, June 15, 2016, at FSHS.

The Firebirds have more than 30 girls participating in the weeklong team camp at FSHS. For the final 30 minutes of Wednesday’s practice, they put the balls away, and Hoffsommer discussed nutrition with her team.

It’s featuring a different flow than last year’s summer camp, when players were mostly focused on the fundamentals and first starting to learn Hoffsommer’s offensive and defensive systems. This year, the Firebirds are working more on their tactics and strategy.

“We actually reduced the camp,” Hoffsommer said. “We were four hours last year and three hours this year. I’m pretty much doing the same stuff in three hours that took four hours to do simply because everything was new.

“It’s so much easier and more concise. It’s really going to help us move on past where we had to start from last year.”

It helps that the Firebirds have a strong core of returning players, including All-Sunflower League selections Naomi Hickman, Payton Gannaway, Rachel Hickman and Clarke.

What has been the biggest focus during camp?

“Communication and confidence, mainly,” said Naomi Hickman, a Creighton commit. “Just working together and getting going at the beginning of summer. Having fun, too.”

Along with the team camp, the Firebirds play in a summer league each week against high schools across the area, which they didn’t do last year.

“Pretty happy about our performances,” Clarke said of the summer league. “It’s still clicking. We still need to get it together more, but we keep improving every game, which is important.”

Hoffsommer added: “I think they are a very confident group. I feel very confident in them. There’s always the adjustment factor of getting that six that work and every rotation — it’s going to take a long time to get there. But they expect to win, and I like that.”

photo by: Richard Gwin

Free State senior Payton Gannaway practices during FSHS volleyball camp on Wednesday, June 15, 2016, at FSHS.

Outside of the potential varsity lineups, Clarke said she has been impressed by the incoming freshman class and how they “mess well” with each other.

Looking to improve beyond their 23 wins last season, the Firebirds hope their faster offense and team communication will give them an edge this fall.

“We want to go to state,” Naomi Hickman said, “so that’s our main goal.”