The Palo Alto girls’ basketball team (2-1) is set to play the Menlo Knights (6-1) in a non-conference game at 7 p.m. on Friday at Palo Alto High School. 

The Vikings are coming off a 15-point loss to the Aragon Dons (2-0), their first loss of the season. 

The Knights are the most formidable opponent the Vikings have faced yet, returning 11 players from their team that advanced to the second round of the Division III CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) State Championship. 

The Vikings will look to bounce back after losing to the Knights in the first game of the previous season. 

According to Viking junior guard Katie McCue, the Vikings are getting better with each game. 

“Our team is building chemistry and improving more and more every day … each game is more exciting and fun,” McCue said. 

According to Viking junior guard Ella Hoy, the Vikings have been trying to improve upon their team work [teamwork] and the little things in preparation for the game. 

“We’ve been working on our plays and our teams cohesiveness in general as well as improving our conditioning and fundamental skills,” Hoy said. 

According to Hoy, these next few games are really important for the team. 

“I’m super excited for these next games because they are going to set the tone for the season,” Hoy said. 

With nearly the entire roster returning and several newcomers contributing early, Hoy says she believes her team is positioned for a successful run. 

“I think we’re going to do really well this season,” Hoy said.  “We didn’t have any seniors graduate last year and the new additions to the team are fitting in really nicely.”