Centre volleyball up for better year
Yvonne Burhoop, coach of the Centre High School volleyball team, is expecting the team to improve on the record of the previous year.
Last year, they were fifth in the league and 15-14 overall.
Four returning lettermen will give strength to the team, Burhoop said.
According to Burhoop, senior Ashlee Bowman, an outside hitter, is aggressive and vocal, senior Stephanie Heiser, a middle blocker, is a good leader, junior Raschelle Jirak, is a back row specialist, a very good server, and hustles, and junior Laura Klenda, an outside hitter, is an aggressive blocker.
Burhoop said contributions of newcomers have yet to be seen. She expects sophomore Jill Fenske and junior Amanda Kleiber to see varsity time. Sophomore Brianne Stahlecker also shows promise.
"We have some height and good quickness," Burhoop said when talking about the strength of the squad. "Three of the hitters lettered last year."
She said she will be replacing two "very good" setters who graduated last year. She will put emphasis on serving and passing.
The toughest league opponents are expected to be Hope, Tescott, and possibly White City.
In non-league play, Sacred Heart always is tough, and emotions run high when the team plays Marion and Herington, Burhoop said.
The first matches of the season were Tuesday, a quadruple at Elyria Christian in McPherson.
The coach is starting her 21st year of volleyball coaching, all at CHS. Her overall record is 359 wins, 212 losses.
