Staff writer
Centre volleyball coach Yvonne Burhoop is counting on the experience of four returning players to give her team the needed strength to have a winning season.
Junior Summer Espinoza, a hitter and setter, has the most experience. She lettered and received honorable mention all-league in her freshman year. She was named to second team all league last year.
Junior Shelby Pankratz was a starter last year, and sophomore Kate Basore also lettered. Junior Alexius Kendrick is returning as a libero.
Three others vying for starting positions, according to coach Yvonne Burhoop, are juniors Katie Marler and Haley Rudolph and newcomer Emily Schlesener.
Other members are Kayla Gosnell, Whitney Gutsch, Amanda Salamone, Athena Salamone, Rebecca Casey, and Grace Knepp.
Burhoop said she expects Centre to finish in third place in the league, behind Goessel and Rural Vista.
Burhoop is in her 34th year of coaching. Her overall record is 545-374. Last year’s record was 15-14. The team finished third in the league and second in the league tournament.
Burhoop is assisted by her daughter, Kylie Burhoop.
The team opens play Sept. 3 at Tescott.