Youngsters will be vital for Hillsboro Trojans volleyball

Arnold will bank on seniors to provide punch

By KAITLYN ALANIS

Staff writer

A mix of new and experienced Trojans make up this season’s Hillsboro High School volleyball team, leading to competition between its own players.

“Several girls will be competing for spots on the varsity court,” head coach Sandy Arnold said. “The freshmen are a solid core of athletic girls who work hard and are enthusiastic. The younger girls will be vital to our success as they push us in practice daily.”

The younger girls are joining a team with height, which Arnold said is the team’s strength.

“We have a large core of girls returning with several years of varsity experience,” she said. “We also have some height, so I am looking to see how we progress in our blocking and attacking.”

Leading the team are seniors Abby Sechrist, 6 feet; Sarah Jost, 5-7; Sienna Kaufman, 5-8; Taylor Helmer, 5-5; and junior Trinity Malm, 5-7.

While Arnold hopes to progress on their strengths, she also said they will have to work on their weaknesses.

“As is always the case, we will need to be able to pass the ball in order to be a successful team,” she said. “A great deal of time will be spent in this area during practice, as well as on serving. We must be able to perform these two skills at a high level to compete.”

Within the Central Kansas League, Arnold said the teams to beat are Hesston, Kingman, and Nickerson.

“The CKL pre-season tournament is at Haven this season and will once again be a good indicator of the competition in our league,” she said. “We have at least three state-caliber teams in our league alone.”