The numbers aren't quite there yet for the Jefferson City Lady Jays wrestling team.
But that doesn't mean there aren't things to achieve this season.
"We don't have the numbers to be good in duals or a score that's going to be impressive in a tournament," Jefferson City coach Candace Cameron said as the Lady Jays prepared to start the season tonight with a dual at Nixa. "It's going to be an individual year."
The Lady Jays have eight wrestlers out this season, down from 12 last year.
"Part of it is it's a lot of hard work, part of it is with two high schools, you're going to lose some numbers," Cameron said. "It's not the numbers we want, but we have quality. We have a lot of potential."
Jefferson City has some returning wrestlers in senior Lydia Hudson, who will wrestle at 130 pounds, and junior Lydia Moore, who will start at 194. Hudson was 20-8 at 127, while Moore was 10-17 at 174.
"We've got some girls with some experience, they're not so green," Cameron said.
Ayosoreoluwa Ilesanmi, a senior transfer from Rolla who was 22-13 last season at 151, is another veteran. She will wrestle at 149 pounds this season.
"She has a lot of promise," Cameron said.
One positive is the eight wrestlers are in different weight classes.
"We have a nice distribution," Cameron said.
Emma Durrill, a senior, will start at 100, while freshman Lexi Dunnwiddie will wrestle at 125. Kaylee Redcay, another freshman, will start at 135, with freshman Deja'Nette Wallace wrestling at 174. Later this season, freshman Jadin Bock will be in the lineup at 235.
The Lady Jays know it's likely they won't be posting many impressive dual victories or top tournament finishes. But that doesn't mean there's not a good team spirit this season.
"It's a good wrestling room environment, everybody helps each other," Cameron said. "If they see somebody doing something that might need to be fixed, they are there to help.
"It will give them a chance to shine individually."
And maybe advance past districts and onto the state tournament. Last season, senior Makayla Wallenmeyer was the first Lady Jays wrestler to advance to the state tournament.
"We're hoping and they're hoping," Cameron said. "The kids are working hard."
After tonight's dual, the Lady Jays will remain in southwest Missouri to wrestle Saturday in the Marshfield Tournament.
"We're going to get to travel a little bit, that will be good for the girls," Cameron said. "We're going to keep them busy this season."