Staff writer
Five returning starters for the Peabody-Burns volleyball squad will give the team core-group chemistry for the 2012 season.
Senior Paige Lewis and junior Rayna Barnes, both 2011 all-league selections, will lead the net attack. Kaycy Gonzalez, a junior, will be the other outside attack player. Senior Brandee Burnett will play the right side, and junior McKenzie Ensminger will return as team libero.
Freshman Katy Benson will join the five returning starters as the setter, a position left vacant with the departure of Sarah Hoffman.
“This is a group of players that love to work hard and are good competitors,” head coach Darren Schroeder said. “If we can continue to improve our ball control daily and use our experience we should be competitive on a game to game basis.”
Schroeder will be joined on the sidelines this year by first-year assistant coach Kara Gerber.
“We still are looking to secure two hitters in our front row rotations,” Schroeder said. “The competition for the positions has been high and the girls use their practice court time to their advantage.”
Schroeder points to Little River and Goessel as top opposition in the Wheat State league. The team will open the season this week with a home tournament on Saturday.