Ready to Roll: With no play-in game, rest, Lady Steers confident about playoffs

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Carson Reibe passes the ball in one of the Big Spring volleyball team’s games this season. The Lady Steers begin the bi-district round of the playoffs against Vernon at 6:30 p.m. today at Albany High School in Albany. Albany is about 45 minutes outside of Abilene.

Excuse the Big Spring volleyball team for feeling like its in uncharted territory — or at least territory the Lady Steers haven't been in for a while.

No play-in game to get into the playoffs. Check. Some much-needed rest before the playoffs. Check. No defending state champion waiting to pounce the Lady Steers in the bi-district round. Check.

All that has Big Spring feeling like it has a chance to go deep in the playoffs this season, as opposed to last year. It starts with Vernon at 6:30 p.m. today at Albany High School in Albany.

“Usually, there's a play-in game,” said the Lady Steers' Bridgette Tuitt, referring to the game against San Angelo Lake View last season. “We finally get a chance to actually build ourselves up. We're just a different team this year.”

On paper, comparing this year's Lady Steers and last season's may not be that difficult. Both teams made the playoffs.

This year's squad sees a difference, however, that will keep them from bowing out of the playoffs early.

Getting the opportunity to rest a little bit and the way they finished the season may be the driving force behind the Lady Steers this postseason.