The Troy Belles is heading back to the World Series for the sixth time in the last seven years. Since winning the state tournament earlier this month, the Belles have had to balance practice with high school athletics.

“It’s been hectic,” said head coach Scott Reeder. “Having to turn around to practice on a short week, with the girls doing workouts with school, it’s been hectic on them.”

School is just a few short weeks away and with high school volleyball starting up, this time of year is a busy time.

“They are running and lifting weights to prepare,” Reeder said. “The majority of the girls play volleyball so they’re lifting weights. They have to go to early morning workouts and turn around and come to practice. It’s rough on them, but they are getting their workouts.”

When they have been able to get on the field, Reeder and the Troy Belles have been working on both offense and defense. Defensively, they have been working on guarding against the bunt.

“We have been doing a lot of defensive drills,” Reeder said. “We haven’t seen many teams bunt on us yet. When we get to the world series, more teams will be bunting the ball, so we have been working on bunting situations. We have been working on hitting because it’s what is going to carry us through the tournament.”

Five current players were on last year’s team that made it to the World Series. In each of the past six World Series appearances, Troy has come up short. For things to be different this type around Troy will have to get over a few hurdles.

“They are going to have to be mentally tough,” Reeder said. “It’s going to be a grind. We are playing the best of the best and we are going to have to be mentally prepared for the tournament. I think every game will go seven innings. The five-inning games are over because it’s the best of the best.”

Troy lost just one game all summer leading up to the World Series, but Reeder believes the one loss benefited his team.

“I am actually glad we lost that game. Those girls had to fight back out of the loser’s bracket and win three straight games to win the tournament. That mentally helped them.

Troy will play its first game on Saturday against North Carolina.