As players graduate, rookies train, and new coaches are introduced, every sports team undergoes inevitable changes in structure that come with each new season. For Palmetto’s girls and boys lacrosse teams, these changes have been drastic. However, both teams manage to quickly adjust and continue to perform to their fullest.

“We went from having 12 really good seniors that were veterans who we depended on a lot to only two this year,” said Cami Amendologine, a junior and girls lacrosse player. “This year’s seniors are also very good but it’s hard to adapt and make sure everybody improves now since they will be gone next season as well.”

Because the team faced a dramatic reduction in its amount of experienced players, the 2013 roster includes many new players with great potential and promising futures.

“I was surprised by the fact that coach played me as a starter during our first game, yet very excited to have the opportunity to play,” freshman Shelby Reamer said.

On a similar note, a change in coaching confronted the boys’ team this year. Since 2007, Mr. James Palmieri coached the team and led it to victory at the district championships last year. However, the team’s assistant coaches have continuously fluctuated, requiring players to acclimate to new authority figures each year. Due to work and family-related obligations, coach Palmieri resigned from his position this season as dad last year’s assistant coach, Mr. Will White.

“This is the first major coaching change we’ve had,” senior Andrew Grossman said. “We’ve tried to go in with an open mind but the bottom line is [that] we’re all out on the field because we want to play lacrosse and we’re not going to let things outside of that affect us.”

With previous coaching experience at Killian and Columbus High School, Mr. Raphael Lazo took Mr. Palmieri’s place as head coach along with his assistant coach, Mr. Alan Lerner. Many players remain unfazed by this organizational makeover and feel optimistic about replicating their past success despite the new methods their instructors have introduced.

“Last year our goal was to win districts, but this year our goal is to go further,” sophomore Conner Berg said. “Our record may look iffy now but once the district games begin, I’m sure everyone will see just how much we’ve improved. We’re at a completely different level now.”