The first official practice of the season isn’t for another 12 days, but several players on the Adel-Desoto-Minburn Tigers girls soccer team have been spending the past handful of Sundays working out inside the Minburn middle school gym. Seniors Izzy LaFollette and Carli Hansen were among the upperclassmen in attendance, leading the team through passing, dribbling and seven-on-seven drills. The pair spoke to Raccoon Valley Radio about the upcoming season and ways the seniors can improve their leadership on the team.

Hansen says a big thing she wants to establish is a culture of building people up, not tearing them down. “(We do this by) being very positive and being supportive, making corrections but in a kind, helpful way.” Hansen said.

LaFollette, who last month signed a letter of intent to play soccer this fall for the University of Northern Iowa Women’s Soccer team, says her goal is to get the squad ready mentally for another successful season. “So we can find time to have fun and the times where we can mess around,” LaFollette said, “We also need to be able to turn it around in 30 seconds and be ready and focused (for the task at hand).

The ADM girls soccer team is coming off an 18-2 campaign a season ago, making it to the semifinal round of the Class 2A state tournament. The Tigers first practice is on Monday, March 19 with their first game set for Thursday, April 5, at Carroll.