Returning Centre starters bolstered by freshmen

By ROWENA PLETT

Staff writer

Five freshmen are among 12 Centre students who are out for volleyball.

The team is coached by Karen Nickel, a seven-year assistant volleyball coach who is in her first year as head coach.

“I am excited about our upcoming season,” she said. “We have lots of new faces.”

Returning starters include seniors Kate Basore and Emily Schlesener, juniors Grace Knepp and Athena Salamone, and sophomore Emma David. Basore, Schlesener, and Salamone are hitters and blockers, David is a hitter, and Knepp is a setter.

Jayden Hallowell is a new senior on the team and will play libero.

Nickel said freshman sisters Alyssa and Samantha Espinoza are strong servers and all-around solid players.

Freshman Emily Silhan will be a setter, and Cailey Barney will be a hitter.

Nickel said another freshman, Lacey Wingerd, is “a dedicated team player.”

Gracie Luna has joined the team as a sophomore hitter.

“We will focus on goals on and off the court and try to improve as a team,” Nickel said. “We have strong seniors, passers, and hitters. We have worked as a team to have positive attitudes on and off the court.”

Nickel acknowledged she has a young team and a limited bench but figures they should finish in the middle of the 10-team Wheat State League.

Their first competition is a triangular Tuesday at Inman.