The Iola High School Mustangs hit the court as hosts of the Dec. 1 jamboree.
They’ll start the season with a clean slate as well as a new coach.
Emily Sigg is taking over as coach for Kelsey Johnson, who will serve as her sister’s assistant.
The two have years of experience working together.
In fact, Sigg previously served as Johnson’s assistant coach a few years back and last year stepped in as head coach when Johnson was away for maternity leave.
“It’s been good and it’s helpful. I already know the girls and they know me,” Sigg said. “It’s been a smooth transition. Kelsey and I have the same philosophies and all of that, so it’s been good.”
Johnson coached the Mustangs for five years before stepping aside this season.
With no seniors on the roster, Sigg has a nearly clean slate to work with and plenty of ceiling to improve.
Sigg said she will ask a lot of her underclassmen, but considering many of them played varsity volleyball, it’s not too much of an ask for Iola’s young players.
“My juniors are going to have a double senior year, kind of, it’s two leadership years,” Sigg said.
“It was a good experience for them. They are used to a high level of play and high pressure. Throwing them out here is not completely unexpected. It definitely helped us to have them step up in volleyball.”
While the boys basketball team will participate in its first jamboree Tuesday, the girls will not face live competition until next month’s Iola High School Jamboree. 
After that, Iola hosts the Gatorade Scrimmage.
Coach Sigg said she plans to get in as much time with her team before then because they only have a few more weeks until the Christmas break.
“We have one more week of practice before the Jamboree, which we’re happy about. You always feel pressured to throw everything in before the first game.
“You don’t get everything you want, but you get in as much time as you can. These girls have been receptive, which is nice. They’ve been coachable and willing to learn.”
