2016 fall sport web

2016 Fall Sports Preview

The Iola Register Fall Sports Special

Saturday, August 27, 2016

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Stories and Photos by Jon Dykstra

2 Saturday, August 27, 2016

The Iola Register Fall Sports Special

Mustangs hope to have fast start

IOLA MUSTANGS HEAD COACH: Doug Kerr (5th year) 16-20 record at Iola 2015 RECORD: 3-6 KEY LOSSES: Ethan Sigg, Brice Aiello, Keanen Badders, Gus Luedke, Brett Taylor, Mason Key RETURNING LEADERS: Passing Ben Cooper, sr.

53-113, 704 yards, 6 TD Rushing Ethan Scheibmeir, sr.

17 carries, 312 yards Receiving Ethan Scheibmeir, sr.

10 catches, 144 yards, 1 TD Tackles Chase Regehr, sr.

99 tackles OTHER KEY RETURNERS: Joey Zimmerman, Isaac Vink, Tayton Driskel, Colton Toney, Seth Sanford, Tayvon Blazek, Trea Williams, Matthew Karr 2016 SCHEDULE: September 2 - at Chanute 9 - Prairie View 16 - at Wellsville 23 - Santa Fe Trail 30 - Parsons October 7 - at Osawatomie 14 - Burlington 21 - at Anderson County 27 - Girard

M

ustang football is wasting no time putting themselves to the test in 2016. The team will open their season by renewing a rivalry in Chanute with a match-up with the Blue Comets.

“Team-wise, we need to pick up a win week one in Chanute,” Mustangs’ senior linebacker Chase Regehr said when asked about his top goal for this season. “That would be a huge momentum-builder going into the season.”

The rivalry has been very one-sided with Iola never having defeated Chanute in the past 30 years, but with talent returning across the board offensively and defensively, this could be the season that the drought ends.

A fast start and a good game week one is key so that the team avoids getting deflated and going down the same road they did a year ago, according to Iola coach Doug Kerr.

“The leadership started out good last year, but when we faced a little bit of adversity, they didn’t know how to get through that,” Kerr said.

“I think this group (of seniors), saw what not to do as juniors and I think they will learn from that.”

The return of quarterback Ben Cooper for his senior season is one of the primary reasons for the hopefulness among the Mustangs.

“One of my favorite words is moxie,” Kerr said. “Ben has moxie. He has that ’it’ factor where he is not afraid to step in and take charge and we have really opened up the playbook for him.”

The Iola offense features a lot of returning skill players around Cooper, led by senior Joey Zimmerman. Zimmerman will serve as Cooper’s

Iola junior cornerback Isaac Vink jumps in front of assistant coach David Daugharthy to catch a pass in a drill during a preseason practice. REGISTER/JON DYKSTRA go-to receiver on the outside.

On the defensive side of the ball, Kerr looks forward to playing a more aggressive style with a veteran group to hang his hat on.

“We are shifting gears from a 'bend, but don’t break’ defense to a defense this year where we are really going to be able to force the issue with pressure,” Kerr said. “Last year, I think we got caught on our heels too much.”

The defense should feature a very strong secondary with Zimmerman quarterbacking the defense from his free safety position. Kerr plans to utilize junior Isaac Vink as his No. 1 cornerback and believes he can take away any

team’s top option in the passing game.

“I’m extremely confident in our defense as a whole,” Zimmerman said. “I think we have the talent to be really good.”

Kerr says the pieces around Vink and Zimmerman are coming together to form a very solid unit.

“The secondary is really coming into their own,” Kerr said. “Caden Knavel is doing a really nice job stepping up from junior varsity and making some great strides.”

Iola has another defensive stalwart in their linebacker corps with Chase Regehr — the team’s leading returning tackler with 98 stops — start-

ing at inside linebacker.

“I think our defense was really good in the summer camps we went to this year,” Regehr said. “We were way more impressive than I even thought we could be. We really hammered some teams, so that gave me a lot of confidence in our group for the upcoming year.”

The Mustangs will need to be able to put it all together next Saturday when they attempt to pull the upset and reignite the Chanute/Iola rivalry.

“It was a rivalry in the past, it hasn’t been a real rivalry for 30 years,” Kerr said.

“It is great because we need to get focused early.”

The Iola Register Fall Sports Special

Fehr takes over Fillies’ reigns

T

he Iola volleyball program will be breaking in a new coach this season, but the transition should be minimal as the new coach is anything but a new face.

Jeff Fehr has been the Iola freshman team’s coach for the past six seasons and has played a major role in developing the current pillars of the Fillies’ program.

“I’ve had them all as freshmen and it has been great to see them blossom into really strong varsity players,” Fehr said.

Riley Murray, Toni Macha, Jadyn Sigg and Sydney Wade represent the team’s only four seniors this season and according to Murray, it is fitting that they end their high school careers with the same coach that they began them with.

“I like it a lot because when

we were freshmen we were all very close because there were only six freshmen out and we bonded with Coach Fehr a lot,” Murray said. “I feel like with him being the coach for our senior year, the bond is already there and the four of us (seniors) are really close, so I think that is going to show on the court... It is going to be a nice year.”

Macha is also looking forward to having Fehr back at the helm.

“My freshman year was one of my most fun years and Coach Fehr was my coach then,” Macha said. “It makes it feel we are all seniors together now that we are back with Coach Fehr. It should be fun.”

Fehr shares his players anticipation of the reunion. He recognizes the talent he is inheriting on this Fillies team and says that talent begins

with his four seniors.

“Sydney Wade and Toni Macha each have the most experience as far as playing experience at the varsity level,” Fehr said. “Sydney is really a multi-purpose player.

She can hit, she can set, she is a good defensive player.

Toni is a good all-around player, especially in the back row. She has a lot of confidence playing in the back row as a receiver.

“Riley Murray will primarily play the front row.

Jaydn Sigg will be a jack-ofall-trades. Sometimes they don’t go as noticed, but you can’t start a play without a good (serve-)receive so that is one of the things she provides.”

The Fillies are a lot more than just four players, however, with sophomore Piper Moore leading a group of underclassmen poised to make

Iola sophomore Piper Moore dives for a ball during a preseason Fillies’ volleyball practice. REGISTER/JON DYKSTRA

Saturday, August 27, 2016

an impact this season.

“Piper started as a freshman and she is going to be another multi-purpose weapon for us,” Fehr said. “She can hit, she can set. We expect some good things from her.”

The junior class also offers several players that will play key roles for the varsity lineup.

“Chloe Gardner will be our libero and she will be very instrumental for us,” Fehr said.

“We will rely on her to be our little energizer that we need sometimes. Karly McGuffin and Madi Carlin will both see some time as well.”

The leadership from Sigg, Macha, Murray and Wade will be even more vital than normal this season as the Fillies have a very big freshman class.

“We (the senior class) all talked and we knew that we were going to have a big group, so we all got on the same page and know that we are going to have to work together to show them the way and work more as a unit this year,” Wade said.

Fehr is excited to see what the newcomers can add to the core that is already in place.

“We have a large freshman class with some height in it which we have lacked sometimes,” Fehr said.

The season kicks off today with a pair of tournaments.

The varsity goes to Prairie View while the junior varsity hosts the Iola Junior Varsity Invitational.

“We are in school three days and we are already going to our first tournament,” Fehr said. “We have to be ready to go.”

The varsity doesn’t make their home debut for two weeks when they host the Iola Invitational on Sept. 10.

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IOLA FILLIES HEAD COACH: Jeff Fehr (1st year) 2015 RECORD: 4-28 KEY LOSSES: Ashlie Shields, Mikayla Platt, Mikayli Cleaver, Taylor Sell, Cassie Delich, Joie Whitney KEY RETURNERS: Sydney Wade, Toni Macha, Riley Murray, Piper Moore, Jadyn Sigg, Katie Bauer, Madi Carlin, Karly McGuffin SCHEDULE: August 27 - at Prairie View September 10 - Iola Invitational 13 - Prairie View at Burlington 20 - Osawatomie at Wellsville 24 - at Burlington 27 - Santa Fe Trail at Anderson County 29 - Eureka at Fredonia October 4 - Burlington at Prairie View 11 - Wellsville, Osawatomie 15- at Anderson County Invitational 18 - Santa Fe Trail, Anderson County at Burlington

4 Saturday, August 27, 2016

The Iola Register Fall Sports Special

Smith returns for 50th year of coaching

practice, but keeping up with seventh grade through seniors is a challenge because they have different assigned routes and distances,” Smith said.

This forced the team’s and Smith’s practice routine to slightly change.

“The original plan was for Dana to work mostly with the middle schoolers while I take care of the high school kids, like I have done in the past.

That does not work well at all, so I just give him everybody and I take it easy, the way it is supposed to be for us older folks,” Smith said with a laugh.

IOLA MUSTANGS & FILLIES HEAD COACH: Marv Smith (37th year) 2015 RESULTS: Won Pioneer League (Boys) Second at Regionals (Boys) KEY LOSSES: Colby Works Abigail Taylor KEY RETURNERS: Braden Plumlee, sr.

Kendall Jay, sr.

Isaiah Fawson, sr.

Cole Regehr, soph.

Megan Klubek, sr.

SCHEDULE: September 1 - at Anderson County 8 - at Fort Scott 15 - at Parsons 20 - Doc Stiles Invitational in Iola 24 - Rim Rock at Lawrence 29 - at Central Heights October 6 - at Independence 13 - Pioneer League at Burlington 22 - Regionals

Iola cross country coach Marv Smith addresses his new crop of athletes on the first day of cross county practice. REGISTER/JON DYKSTRA

H

igh school coaching can have some of the highest turnover rates of any career you can choose. The job includes high levels of stress, long work hours and success is largely dependent on the cards you are dealt.

Don’t tell the negatives to Iola’s Marv Smith. Smith has been a mainstay in Mustangs’ and Fillies’ athletics for the past half century. For the past 37 years of that tenure, a big part of his responsibilities is serving as the head cross country coach.

Smith enters the 2016 season with as much excitement and passion as ever and a big part of that is the team he returns.

The Mustangs finished first at the Pioneer League meet and had all five of their runners in the top eight spots.

Having only lost one of those runners — Colby Works — to graduation and with seniors

Braden Plumlee, Kendall Jay and Isaiah Fawson back to lead the team, along with sophomore Cole Regehr, it would be easy to see why Smith is fired up for the year.

But it is the love of developing young athletes that has made Smith so successful over the years and that is what he is looking forward most to again this season.

“I am excited about returning the league champions, but what really has me charged up is the thought of bringing eight freshman boys into the program, five of whom could help at the varsity level immediately,” Smith said. “Elijah Fawson, Royce Smith and River Hess will be our freshman leaders and strengthen the varsity. Newcomers Bryce Andres, a junior, and Blake Haar, a sophomore, are also varsity-caliber runners and will compete with the varsity by the middle of the season.”

The expectations are still

very high for the Mustangs this season and despite the excitement caused by the freshmen and newcomers, the primary reason for the excitement lies with the four returning varsity stalwarts.

Plumlee finished second at the Pioneer League Meet, with Jay taking fourth, Isaiah Fawson finishing fifth and Regehr rounding out the group in eighth.

“Jay, Fawson, Plumlee and Regehr are all proven runners,” Smith said. “Regehr came from nowhere last season to run within seconds of his teammates.”

Improvement is tough to gauge at this point of the season, because for the first time in 37 years that the team was forced to change practice courses and the new courses don’t offer the same amount of accessibility as the old trails did. “(Assistant) coach (Dana) Daugharthy brings a bike to

GIRLS’ PREVIEW For Smith, he has one word to describe his girls’ team this season and that word is “wow.”

“Why the ‘wow?’ Nine girls out and all are contributors; not a weak runner in the bunch,” Smith said. “Last season we could not get a team score because we only had four runners and only three of those competed on the varsity level.”

The big reason for the increased level of depth is the arrival of five freshmen to the team with Kelsey Morrison, Rachel Bycroft, Elka Billings, Ella Taylor and Elysia Kunkler.

“As eighth-graders, these girls ran a two-mile race and dominated,” Smith said. “In two meets, they awarded eight medals and our girls took five of them.”

The leader of the girls squad is senior Megan Klubek and Smith is confident that his runner, who was fourth at last year’s Pioneer League meet, will embrace her increased role.

“As the only senior, we expect Megan to provide good leadership for her younger teammates,” Smith said.

The Iola Register Fall Sports Special

Saturday, August 27, 2016

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The Iola Register Fall Sports Special

Young Fillies continue to build

IOLA FILLIES HEAD COACH: Jenn Bycroft (11th year) KEY LOSSES: Bobbi Sinclair, Cheyanne Vaughn ROSTER: Macayla Bycroft (Jr) Carley Cescon (Jr) Sloan Geddry (Jr) Erin Klubek (Jr) Jennifer Tidd (So) Cassidy Lowell (Fr) Carlie Payne (Fr) Allie Utley (Fr) SCHEDULE: August 25 - Neodesha, LCHS, Columbus at Chanute September 1 - Parsons, Independence, Columbus at HOME 8 - Fort Scott, Pittsburg, Chanute at Independence 15 - Pittsburg, Coffeyville, Columbus at Pittsburg 22 - LCHS, Fort Scott, Columbus at Pittsburg 27 Pittsburg, Chanute, Parsons at Coffeyville

T

he Fillies’ tennis program will look much different in 2016 with the loss of their two singles players from a year ago, but coach Jenn Bycroft is confident that her team can still have a strong season with the development of the returning players from a year ago.

“We lost four seniors last year, with two of those being varsity singles players,” Bycroft said of the team’s leadership. “That definitely hurts, because they had been around since their freshman years, so they got me and I got them, but with our four juniors I think they know they have to step it up a bit.”

Three of those returning players were starters last year in doubles. Juniors Erin Klubek and Macayla Bycroft were the Fillies’ No. 2 doubles team last year and finished the year with a 10-13 record. Sophomore Jennifer Tidd also returns after playing on the Iola No. 1 doubles team last season.

With all the newcomers, Coach Bycroft is looking forward to seeing how they develop throughout the season.

“Out of the new ones we have, we only have two with any kind of tennis experience,” Bycroft said. “Both Carley (Cescon) and Allie (Utley) have been coming to my tennis camp ever since they were little so they each bring some experience.

“The other ones are fresh.

First, they need to understand lines, their footwork and the fundamentals. I need to progress them a little bit faster. In years past, the junior varsity season is only seven weeks long, so sometimes it is difficult to see a lot of progress.”

Bycroft and Klubek say

Iola freshman Allie Utley returns a serve during a preseason Fillies’ tennis practice. REGISTER/JON DYKSTRA

they are excited for another season playing together as a duo.

“We balance each other out pretty well,” Klubek said.

“Our personalities fit well together. We are complete opposites when we are out there playing. I’m very serious and Macayla is really fun, so we merge that together.”

Bycroft and Klubek also say they are ready to step up

as leaders for the young Fillies’ squad that will play the 2016 season without a senior on the roster.

“I am trying to making it as fun as I can for everybody,” Klubek said. “Even if it gets really intense sometimes, I just want to make it really fun out there. I want to make sure we become a family, like most sports teams want to do.”

Macayla Bycroft agrees with her team that fun is important, but she also likes the potential of her team.

“Our team goals are to win a lot and have fun,” Bycroft said. “Coach wants us to go to state and I think that, after watching everyone, even though most of us are new, I think we have a really good shot of at least doing really well at regionals.”

The Iola Register Fall Sports Special

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8 Saturday, August 27, 2016

The Iola Register Fall Sports Special

Cub offense undergoes makeover

HUMBOLDT CUBS HEAD COACH: Logan Wyrick (2nd year) 4-5 record at Humboldt 2015 RECORD: 4-5 KEY LOSSES: QB Anthony Doran; RB/ CB Bryce Issac; FB/LB Rhett Smith; TE/DE Tyler Korte; WR/CB Corey Whitcomb; WR/LB Jacob Eitel; OL/DL Cade Adams; OL/ DL Colob Kleaver RETURNING LEADERS: Passing None Rushing Jacob Barker, jr.

4 carries, 22 yards, 1 TD Receiving None TacklesDagen Goodner, soph.

48 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 sacks SCHEDULE: September 2 - at Leon-Bluestem 9 - at Cherryvale 16 - Neodesha 23 - at Caney Valley 30 - Eureka October 7 - Fredonia 14 - Erie 21 - at Jayhawk-Linn 28 - Northeast-Arma

Humboldt junior quarterback Chad Classen looks down the line before taking a snap during a Cubs’ preseason practice. REGISTER/JON DYKSTRA

L

ogan Wyrick’s second team at Humboldt could hardly look more different than his senior-laden team last year that finished the season with a 4-5 record.

“We have two seniors on our entire team,” Wyrick said. “At a 3A high school I think that is pretty unheard of.”

The Cubs lost all of their starting skill players on offense with quarterback Anthony Doran, running back Bryce Isaac, fullback Rhett Smith, tight end Tyler Korte and receivers Corey Whitcomb and Jacob Eitel. All of those players earned All-TriValley League honors.

It is a clean slate on offense with the Cubs not returning a single player who threw or caught a varsity pass last

season.

“We are young but we have a lot of talented kids,” Wyrick said. “That senior class didn’t just shrink overnight. We had a small junior class last year, so quite a few of our freshmen and sophomores did get playing time last year. They are ready to fill in, even if a lot of them didn’t play a lot on offense, a lot of them started on defense.”

The leading returning rusher is Jacob Barker, who finished the season with just four carries for 22 yards.

Wyrick is confident that Barker will be ready for a big workload during his junior campaign when he will likely be asked to play on offense, defense and be the primary return man.

“Barker is ready to step

up,” Wyrick said. “He is one of the few guys that actually had some carries last year.

He’ll definitely be the guy at tailback.”

Another junior is set to inherit the quarterback job with Chad Classen prepared to step in.

Wyrick has been very impressed with Classen's offseason preparation to step into the starting role.

“We didn’t actually know where he would be at coming in,” Wyrick said. “He hit two, three, four camps this summer and I knew he would do that anyway, but I think he hit a couple more than he usually does. I think he’ll be ready to go.”

Classen’s go-to option at wide receiver figures to be Hesston Murrow, who despite not catching a pass last

season, made a couple of starts on offense last season.

Murrow has plenty of game experience after starting at free safety as a sophomore last year.

“He has some playing time and he has more experience than a lot of the other (receiver options),” Wyrick said. “Teryn Johnson is another one that will be key. He is not the prototypical tight end, but that is where he will be. A lot of people would consider him more of an H-back type of player.”

Another key addition to the receiving core is Collin Gillespie, a state qualifier in the high jump last track and field season.

“He is a weapon just by looking at him,” Wyrick said referring to his size.

The defense will be led by a sophomore with Dagen Goodner coming off a huge freshman season where he netted 48 tackles with three tackles for loss and two sacks. The linebacker has already embraced the vocal leadership role on the Cub defense according to the coaching staff.

“He already a focal point,” Wyrick said. “He makes the calls for us defensively. He stepped up as a leader as just a sophomore. He is probably our most vocal leader.”

Wyrick says his goals for this season don’t change despite the lack of playing experience.

“It doesn’t matter if we are playing all junior varsity players,” Wyrick said. “We write it in our policies and procedures, the first meeting, we have that our goal is to win a Tri-Valley League championship and a state championship and if that is not the goal then don’t take the field.”

The Iola Register Fall Sports Special

Saturday, August 27, 2016

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10 Saturday, August 27, 2016

The Iola Register Fall Sports Special

Cole’s Wildcats keep it simple

MARMATON VALLEY WILDCATS HEAD COACH: Gavin Cole (1st year) 2015 RECORD: 4-5 KEY LOSSES: QB/CB Keagan Boyd, RB/ LB Austin Deer, TE/DE Gage Adams, TE/NT Jake Kress, TE/CB Michael Beggs RETURNING LEADERS: Passing: None Rushing: Trevor Wilson Receiving: Trevor Wilson Tackles: Trevor Wilson OTHER KEY RETURNERS: Noah Pilcher, Tony Jefferies, Jake Kale, Brandon Allen, Preston Cornett, Will Holeman, Brock Hall, Justice Pugh, Korbin Smith, Isaac Heskett, Caiden Elliot SCHEDULE: September 2 - Chetopa 9 - Crest 16 - at Greenfield, Mo. 23 - at Altoona-Midway 30 - at Sedan October 7 - Madison 14 - at St. Paul 21 - at West Elk 27 - Southern Coffey Co.

Marmaton Valley junior quarterback Justice Pugh runs the ball on a keeper during a preseason Wildcat practice. REGISTER/JON DYKSTRA

W

hen Gavin Cole took the head coaching job for Marmaton Valley football, he did so with a plan.

That plan was to get back to the basics. Cole simplified the offense by trimming down the playbook. He wants his team to focus on the fundamentals.

“Based off the personnel, I feel like it fits us more to be a smash-mouth style of team,” Cole said. “I’ll say it every time, you win games up front so we’ve really broken down the blocking and tried to simplify that. With a simpler playbook, they can be more comfortable with what we are running.”

One player who is embrac-

ing the changes is new starting quarterback Justice Pugh.

“We’ve gone back to the basics,” Pugh said. “Last year, we had a whole bunch of different plays and they weren’t working, but this year we are sticking with the basic stuff.”

The junior started two games at quarterback his freshman season, but had his year cut short when he suffered a concussion. The Wildcats inserted Keagan Boyd at quarterback and didn’t look back.

With Boyd established as the signal-caller last season, Pugh found himself unable to find the field as he was relegated to the backup quarterback role.

Boyd has now graduated and with the new coaching staff in place, Pugh has the opportunity for a second chance at leading the Wildcats.

“He is a smart kid. He knows where other people go and doesn’t know just his own spot,” Cole said. “He is not the biggest kid, but he is very quick. If he makes the right reads, he throws a good ball.”

Behind Pugh will be junior tailback Trevor Wilson, who was a versatile weapon for Marmaton Valley last season, but will play an even bigger role this season with the graduation of Austin Deer.

“Trevor played with two very good backs last year, so what he was able to do was

very impressive because he lacked a lot of carries,” Cole said. “He is not the biggest kid that you will ever see but his lower body is strong. He squats over 500 pounds and for his size, that is great. You can see that power, but I think he has really improved with his vision. He reads his blocks a lot better. If we need a workhorse, Trevor is our guy.”

The offensive line is an area of strength for the Wildcats with all three starters returning and Cole is confident with his senior-led line, they will be able to play the “smashmouth” style that he wants.

“Over everything else, the offensive line is where we return the most experience,” Cole said. “Jake (Kale) has started at right guard and we have moved him to center.

Tony (Jefferies) has started at right guard and will stay there. Isaac Heskett is only a sophomore but he started at center as a freshman and we moved him to guard because I think it fits him more to be in that position and he will cobble some linebackers from that spot.”

The offensive line will have help from the Wildcat tight ends with blocking, namely Preston Cornett.

“Preston is a senior,” Cole said. “He started at guard as a sophomore but he has quickened up. His hands have gotten better so we have the benefit to moving him out to tight end. He is 240 pounds and moves pretty well, so he is a very good blocker.”

The Wildcats will put their new philosophy to the test on Friday when they open their season at home against Chetopa.

“We want to be more aggressive,” Cole said. “We want to fly around and make plays.”

The Iola Register Fall Sports Special

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12 Saturday, August 27, 2016

The Iola Register Fall Sports Special

Lancers reload their attack

CREST LANCERS HEAD COACH: Chuck Mahon (3rd year) 11-8 record at Crest 2015 RECORD: 6-4 KEY LOSSES: TE Hunter Frazell; QB Evan Godderz; RB Brandon Brallier RETURNING LEADERS: Passing None Rushing Gage Adams Receiving Hayden Seabolt TacklesGage Adams OTHER KEY RETURNERS: Tavyn Springston, Caleb Stephens, SCHEDULE: September 2 - Blue Valley-Randolph 9 - at Marmaton Valley 16 - at Waverly 23 - Chetopa 30 - at Altoona-Midway October 7 - Greenfield, Mo. 14 - MdCV 21 - at Lebo 27 - Pleasanton

Crest junior quarterback Caleb Stephens throws a pass during a preseason Lancer practice. REGISTER/JON DYKSTRA

A

new era for Crest Lancer football has arrived after the graduation of a senior class that carried the Lancers across all sports last year.

For the football team, that means the loss of quarterback Evan Godderz, running back Brandon Brallier and pass catcher Hunter Frazell. Brallier and Frazell combined to account for 18 touchdowns last season while Godderz threw for 17.

“It is a tough group to replace,” Crest coach Chuck Mahon said.

The Lancers are confident they can have a strong season

in 2016 even with that trio of offensive weapons and a big reason for that is the potential of a full season from Gage Adams.

Adams finished with only six games played, but he made the most of those games with 831 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns. The junior finished his sophomore season with 9.6 yards-per-carry.

Adams has his biggest impact as a linebacker on the defensive side of the ball, which Mahon expects to be the strength of the Crest team this season.

“We are going to be fine on defense,” Mahon said. “We are not really heavy over there, but

we are quick and we run to the football. We have Gage, who in my opinion is one of the best defensive players in the area, whether you are talking 1A through 5A.” Adams can play in coverage, but is also excellent at rushing the passer on passing downs and if he can play a full season he should see his sack numbers rise this year.

Adams isn’t the only experienced player returning on the Lancer defense as Mahon has faith in the depth they have built up.

“Tavyn Springston started on defense for us and Hayden Seabolt was a great defensive end for us last year,” Mahon

said.

Replacing Godderz at quarterback figures to be another junior with Caleb Stephens making the move behind center.

“He just needs to get game reps,” Mahon said. “He needs to have as much confidence in himself as I do. He is going to make mistakes, we know that, but physically, he has all the skills he needs to be just fine and he will get better each week.”

Stephens says the offense is beginning to get more comfortable for him, but it has been a growing process for him throughout the preseason practices.

“I’m really comfortable with hand-offs and short passes, but I’m still a little bit uncomfortable going long,” Stephens said. “Other than that I feel pretty good back there.”

Stephens plays defensive end when he is not on offense and when the team rushes Adams, it is generally Stephens that drops into coverage. He likes the aggressiveness that the defense is capable of showing and is hoping that trait carries over to his offense.

“We can be a really aggressive team this year,” Stephens said.

Stephens says his goals for the team and himself go handin-hand this season.

“I just want to be a good enough quarterback to get my team where I think we can go,” Stephens said. “My overall goal every year is to win the state championship and that’s where I think we can be if we all work hard.”

It is a long road to that ultimate goal, but Stephens and his teammates will try to get the Lancers started down that path next Friday when they open the season at home against Blue Valley-Randolph.

The Iola Register Fall Sports Special

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14 Saturday, August 27, 2016

The Iola Register Fall Sports Special

Titans to lean on passing game in 2016

SCC TITANS HEAD COACH: Korey Lankton (6th year) 2015 RECORD: 3-6 KEY LOSSES: Carter Toy, Tanner Garretson, Hunter Pankey, Austin Chambers, Chonnor Ludolph RETURNING LEADERS: Passing Nick Spencer, jr. 150-285, 1,981 yards, 28 TDs Rushing Luke Gillis, jr., 318 yards Receiving Luke Gillis, jr., 187 yards TacklesDawson Leimkuhler, so., 89 tackles, 5.5 TFL OTHER KEY RETURNERS: Weston Weers, Bryce Isch SCHEDULE: September 2 - at Burlingame 9 - Waverly 16 - at Hanover 23 - Hartford 30 - West Elk October 7 - Sedan 14 - at Madison 21 - St. Paul 27 - at Marmaton Valley

SCC junior quarterback Nick Spencer winds up to throw deep during a preseason Titan practice. REGISTER/JON DYKSTRA

N

ot many 8-man football teams have been able to develop the reputation for throwing the football that Southern Coffey County has been able to in recent years.

In 2016, the team doesn’t plan on taking a step back and the primary reason for that is the return of junior quarterback Nick Spencer to lead the Titans’ offensive attack. Spencer threw for over 1,900 yards

as a sophomore signal-caller.

“He put in a lot of work this offseason with his footwork and leadership skills,” Titan coach Korey Lankton said.

“As a sophomore, we threw him into the fire a little bit and there were some things he handled really well and some things he didn’t. We are working on some more things for him that are going to help contribute to the team.

“He did a little bit of run-

ning for us but we would like to have more of a running presence.”

Around Spencer, the Titans have more questions with a majority of their receiving yards not returning.

To remedy the problem of too few pass catchers, the Titans are exploring the option of using 2015 starting offensive linemen Weston Weers and Bryce Isch at skill positions this season.

“We know they can help us on the line, but they are also working other places offensively,” Lankton said. “They both contributed a lot defensively last season too. They can be contributors in a lot of different spaces.”

Isch says he is ready to help wherever the coaching staff needs him.

“I was at every position last year,” Isch said. “I’m going to come in and do whatever coach says.”

The Titans do return a starter in the backfield to go along with Spencer. Luke Gillis started at running back as a sophomore and will be counted on to supply even more play-making to the offense this season.

“He contributed a lot for us on offense and defense,” Lankton said.

In order for Gillis and the Titan running attack to be more potent in 2016, Lankton says the key is improved play by the offensive line.

“The most important thing is the offensive line,” Lankton said. “They have to get physical off the ball and hold their blocks. If they can do that then we feel like we can be a really balanced team this year.”

Southern Coffey County returns four starters to its defense, but the coaching staff is opening all the spots on the defense for competition, due to the disappointing performance from that unit in 2015.

“Our defense was definitely our weakest spot last year,” Lankton said. “I wouldn’t even call (the returning starters), starters at this point. We are starting fresh and just going from there.”

SCC opens its season on the road next Friday in Burlingame and Isch says the Titans will be ready.

“We plan on coming in and shocking Burlingame,” Isch said.

The Iola Register Fall Sports Special

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16 Saturday, August 27, 2016

The Iola Register Fall Sports Special

Wildcats rely on Bruner to lead

YATES CENTER WILDCATS HEAD COACH: Ben Wiehn (4th year) 9-20 at Yates Center 2015 RECORD: 2-7 KEY LOSSES: Drey Estes, Charles Hess, Derek Heslop, Ben Town, Dakota Renfro, Jordan Smith, Kobe Forsyth RETURNING LEADERS: Passing: Mikey Bruner, sr.

237 yards, 5 TDs Rushing: Mikey Bruner, sr.

989 yards, 10 TDs Receiving: Gavin Dillow, sr.

135 yards (2014 stats due to 2015 injury) Tackles: Mikey Bruner, sr.

58 tackles SCHEDULE: September 2 - at Lyndon 9 - at Northeast Arma 16 - Northern Heights 23 - Jayhawk-Linn 30 - at St. Marys October 7 - Olpe 14 - at St. Mary’s Colgan 21 - Uniontown 28 - Oswego

C

oach Ben Wiehn and the Yates Center football team have several position battles that they are trying to sort out before the season, but one position where there is no question who is starting is the most important one on the field.

Quarterback Mikey Bruner is back under center after a tremendously successful junior campaign. Bruner is a four-year starter and is as much of a threat to opposing defenses with his legs as he is with his arm.

“Mikey is one of those special ones, you could see that as a freshman when we were playing 8-man football and he was starting out there,” Wiehn said. “He has been special the past couple years.”

Bruner’s versatility is also a gift and a curse for the Wildcat coaching staff. His ability to play multiple positions has created some tough decisions for Wiehn as Bruner has spent time at running back during his career.

“He can do it all. I put him in at quarterback. I’d like to put him at running back. You can split him out and throw him the ball. He is just a natural athlete,” Wiehn said. “I definitely think he is nextlevel quality at one of those positions, but I put him at quarterback because I want him touching the ball every single play. He is going to do it all.”

Bruner is focused on becoming more of a vocal leader during his senior year.

“The last couple of years I’ve been quiet,” Bruner said. “This year, I have been more vocal and I’ve tried to be really encouraging.”

Bruner has placed some high expectations on him-

Yates Center coach Ben Wiehn demonstrates a tackling drill for his team during a preseason Wildcat practice. REGISTER/JON DYKSTRA self going into the season.

“I want to be an All-State quarterback,” Bruner said.

Yates Center returns several key pieces around Bruner, but none of them appear on the offensive line and that is where Wiehn has the most concerns entering the 2016 season.

“We need to develop some linemen to block for (Bruner),” Wiehn said. “We don’t have any senior linemen this year. We are relying on all youth with juniors and sophomores and even a freshman or two may have to play for us.”

The skill positions offer more experience with the return of senior running back Logan Tidd to help take some pressure off of Bruner in the run-happy Wildcat offense.

“Logan has been a key contributor for the last couple seasons, since he was a sophomore,” Wiehn said.

“He is going to get a bulk of the carries.”

The passing game should get an infusion of play-making from the return of senior pass catcher Gavin Dillow, who missed most of last season with a collarbone injury, but was the team’s leading receiver in 2014.

“We are really glad to have him back, because he is going to be really key in the pass game,” Wiehn said. “He does a really good job blocking on the end of the line too, so he is a really valuable tight end.”

The defense revolves around the same trio of seniors.

“Logan will probably move from an outside linebacker spot to inside linebacker and with the scheme we run he will probably lead the team in tackles,” Wiehn said. “Mikey will move from an outside linebacker position to play the strong safety position. He does a really good job in coverage.”

On the defensive line the team will be leaning on a couple of its less-experienced players.

“Tyler Harris is a junior that is going to play a lot of defensive tackle,” Wiehn said. “Julius Hodges is a junior that is going to play a lot of defensive tackle. People have seen these guys a lot in junior varsity the last couple of years, but they are starting to step up.”

The Iola Register Fall Sports Special

Saturday, August 27, 2016

Wildcats join new league

HEAD COACH: Jennie Davis (4th year) SCHEDULE: August 27 - at Pleasanton Tourn.

September 6 - Eureka/Marmaton Valley 8 - at Oswego 13 - Crest, Hartford at MdCV 17 - at Humboldt Tourn.

19 - Fredonia at Pleasanton 20 - Northeast, St. Paul at Uniontown 27 - Chetopa, Jayhawk-Linn, Marmaton Valley October 4 - Crest at Pleasanton 8 - at Uniontown Tourn.

17 - Humboldt at Sedan 18 - Neodesha, Altoona-Midway at Eureka

T

he Yates Center Wildcats are joining the Three Rivers League in 2016 and are hoping the move provides more success than they obtained in 2015 when they finished the year with a 7-24 record.

“My group is really young so the goal is for everyone to work together and make sure we improve every single day,” Yates Center coach Jennie Davis said. “We are going into a new league so it is hard to say I want to win this game or that game, but if we win half our games and improve every time then we are going to be fine.”

With the graduations of

Ashley Pringle and Jessica Rossillon, the Wildcats must find a way to replace those two leaders from last year’s squad, but Davis is hopeful that she has the personnel required to replace their contributions.

“Pretty much every area of the team is going to have to step up to replace what those two meant to us,” Davis said.

Three players who will see their roles grow, both on and off the court, will be seniors Emily Proper, Hali Crellin and Aldina Righini. They not only will be asked to pick up some of the slack statistically but also will be counted on as leaders.

“Aldina and Hali have re-

ally taken over the role of leaders,” Davis said. “Unfortunately they are more quiet leaders. They will show you what to do instead of telling you. It will probably be up to a junior or sophomore or even a freshman to be more of the vocal leaders.”

Sophomore Allie Pringle — Ashley’s sister — is someone Davis expects to really make an impact and should be one of the team’s kill leaders along with Proper.

“Allie Pringle will be a big key,” Davis said. “She will be counted on to play middle for us. She was able to play middle halfway through the season. She really learned a lot from her sister.”

Yates Center sophomore Kelly Conner sets the ball during a preseason Wildcat practice. REGISTER/JON DYKSTRA

Newcomers add to proven core

L

ast year, coach Rex McVey and the Yates Center cross country team entered the season with two known quantities and some unknown year runners with a lot of potential.

Well the proven reliable seniors Brett Holloway and Hayden Splechter did not disappoint and each had very good seasons and culminated their careers with strong showings at the state meet, but it was one of the unknowns who stole the show.

Hadley Splechter had as good of a freshman year as you can imagine and he capped it off with an eighthplace finish at state.

“I don’t really have individual goals, but as a team I want us to get to state, after just missing out by one point last year, to get the whole team there,” Splechter said.

“By getting the team there, I will have to do better as an in-

dividual in the process and it will help everyone make it.”

Splechter wrapped up his year by running with an AAU team and as a 14-year-old at the national meet and took 13th in the nation.

“I expect Hadley to be in the top five in the state this year,” McVey said. “He is one of those kids that is just very dedicated. He would run into town from his house in the country and go through his workout with the other kids and then after they were done he would just keep on running home. He put in a lot of miles this summer and I expect it to pay off for him.”

Colin Bedell also had a very good season, but he comes into his junior season with something to prove after getting stuck in a group at state and having to settle for a 42nd-place finish.

“Hadley is a special one all the way around, but Colin is right there with him,” McVey

said. “Colin got in a group of kids and just couldn’t get out of them. It is tough to get out of a group like that on some of those courses, I look for both of them to be in the top 10 at state.”

Now Splechter and Bedell are the returning proven quantities and they have a new group of young runners with the talent to break out.

“Asher Sievers and Jordan Smith have both looked really good at these first couple of practices and I expect them to do some really good things,” McVey said.

Sievers is a transfer from Iola and Smith joins the team after playing football last season.

“It is nice to have new people,” Splechter said. “I really like getting people interested in cross country instead of football and we have a lot of good new people, especially with Asher coming from Iola.”

HEAD COACH: Rex McVey SCHEDULE: September 1 - at Burlington 8 - at Lyndon 15 - at Parsons 20 - at Iola October 4 - at Eureka 6 - at Pleasanton 13 - at Burlington

Yates Center’s Hadley Splechter runs during the state track and field meet last spring. REGISTER/JON DYKSTRA

17

18 Saturday, August 27, 2016

The Iola Register Fall Sports Special

Different title, same job for Cubs’ Meadows

HEAD COACH: Terry Meadows (1st year) 2015 RECORD: 17-17 SCHEDULE: August 27 - at Prairie View Tourn.

September 6 - Neodesha/Oswego 13 - Cherryvale/Altoona 17 - Humboldt Tourn.

24 - at Burlington Tourn.

27 - Olathe Metro at Erie October 4 - Neodesha/Caney 11 - at Neodesha Tourn.

17 - Yates Center at Sedan 27 - Fredonia at Bluestem

T

erry Meadows wasted no time reintroducing his coaching style to the Humboldt volleyball squad. With schools allowed to begin practice on Aug. 15, Meadows and his team were on the court at 12:01 a.m., ready to get their work in.

“They have done that a couple of times in the past, but not every year,” Meadows said. “It is a fun way to start the season and it is exciting for the players because it is different. We make sure to have a little fun with it, but we also hit the drills hard and the conditioning as well.”

Meadows served as the Humboldt Middle School coach for seven years before getting promoted to the high school level this season, so he knows the talent he has on the 2016 Cubs.

Meadows looks forward to being able to hit the ground running this year without

Humboldt senior Tilar Wells bumps a ball during the Cubs’ midnight volleyball practice. REGISTER/JON DYKSTRA

much transition, thanks to that familiarity.

“Having them at the middle school level should help out a lot,” Meadows said.

“They know how I coach and I know they act and react to

how I coach.”

Humboldt senior Annalise Whitcomb has been impressed with her new coach’s dedication to his craft already.

“He was our middle school coach and I liked him then, but it is even more exciting to have him now, because he is doing a lot of research to make us better,” Whitcomb said. “He is looking at drills and doing all sorts of things to make sure that we are getting better every day.”

Meadows isn’t the only reason Whitcomb can’t wait to take the court this season.

The future Fort Scott Community College setter has her entire offensive attack back from a year ago and with talented offensive weapons such as senior Tilar Wells and sophomores Kaylie Johnson and Aricah McCall, the Cubs’ attack should be potent in 2016.

“It is exciting to have all of them back, because I know

that I have people I can count on to get the ball over and make smart plays,” Whitcomb said.

The Cubs finished last year at 17-17, but with all their offensive firepower back in the lineup, optimism is high amongst the team.

“We have high hopes for this year,” Meadows said. “All of our offense is back, both of the seniors we lost were more defensive players.”

Despite all the experience they have back, there is still plenty to work on for a team that really wants to take the next step.

“Our goals are to work on our timing and work on our connections with our setter and hitters,” Meadows said. “We want to speed up our game. We want to have a quicker ball and move in system better.”

The season begins for the Cubs with a tournament at Prairie View today.

Kline leads talented Cubs

T

here is not much of a question as to who the leader of the Humboldt cross country team will be this season. That distinction falls to senior Joe Kline.

Kline finished one spot away from a state medal last season with a 21st place finish in the state meet, but is out to prove that he can be much better than that in 2016.

“I missed that medal at state last year, but I’m hoping to get first or second this year,” Kline said. “I got to work hard.”

Kline injured his leg before state cross county last year and during track season he broke his arm, so keeping him healthy is important for Humboldt coach Eric Carlson.

“If we can keep him healthy then he should do a really good job for us,” Carlson said. “The sky is really the limit for him.”

The Cubs have a lot of talent to replace around Kline after losing Tanner Orth and Wyatt Wehlage to graduation, but they are already beginning to see several athletes step up to try to fill those shoes.

“Chris Cornado will be a sophomore this season and started running really well towards the end of last year and during track season,” Carlson said. “Josh Vanetta will be a junior this year and I really think he is going to pick it up for us and do a good job.”

“Orth was our senior last year and he really pushed me,” Kline said. “I hope to be that

senior this year that pushes everyone else.”

GIRLS’ PREVIEW The girls begin the season with different expectations.

“We have four seniors this season so we return some experience,” Carlson said. “The girls probably aren’t as serious as the guys are. They come out and they enjoy it though. They are good leaders and runners and I think they may surprise themselves.”

Senior Padyne Durand is one of the girls that Carlson has high hopes for this season.

“She has run for us since she was a seventh-grader and has always done a good job,” Carlson said. “Hopefully this year, she will qualify for state.”

HEAD COACH: Eric Carlson (11th year) SCHEDULE: September 1 - at Anderson County 8 - at Girard 15 - at Parsons 20 - at Iola 24 - Rim Rock at Lawrence 29 - at Central Heights October 4 - at Eureka 13 - League at Burlington

Cub senior Joe Kline runs during preseason practice.

REGISTER/JON DYKSTRA

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The Iola Register Fall Sports Special

Wildcats rely on depth without Tynon

HEAD COACH: Terra Kegler (5th year) SCHEDULE: August 27 - Pleasanton Tourn.

30 - Crest, Hartford at Madison September 6 - Eureka at Yates Center 13 - St. Paul, SCC 17 - Humboldt Tourn.

20 - Oswego, Pleasanton, JHL 22 - Oswego, Caney, Sedan 27 - Chetopa, Jayhawk-Linn, Uniontown at Yates Center October 4 - Altoona-Midway, Jayhawk-Linn at St. Paul 8 - Uniontown Tourn.

11 - Crest, Northeast at Jayhawk-Linn 18 - Uniontown at Pleasanton

T

he good news for Marmaton Valley volleyball and coach Terra Kegler is that they lost only one player from a highly successful 2015 team. The bad news is who that player was.

Mackenzie Tynon was a three-time First Team AllLeague performer and her presence will not be able to be replicated by just one player on the 2016 version of the Wildcats.

The way for Marmaton Valley to reproduce the success that they had while Tynon was in the fold, is for each of the returning players to step up a little more this season, “We just need to replace (Tynon), and those are some big shoes to fill, but we have the bodies to do that,” Kegler said. “We plan to finish above .500 and I expect to finish in the top two in league.”

Marmaton Valley’s path to earning that top league finish will start with its two returning seniors Kyla Drake and Misty Storrer.

Both will be expected to have increased kill totals without Tynon on the team and their offense will be key to helping Marmaton Valley achieve their potential.

“Kyla brings a lot of experience and she works very hard,” Kegler said. “She was our second leading hitter last year, behind Mackenzie.

She is going to be a leader and one the other teams need to be aware of.

“Misty is someone I expect to step up this year. She did last year, but I expect more consistency this year.”

Marmaton Valley’s pair of twins Mckayla and Shayla Brooks will also each see plenty of opportunities in the Wildcat attack.

“They bring a lot of power

and they are very athletic,” Kegler said.

A newcomer that may make a big impact is sophomore Patricia Outlan, The 5’10 hitter gives the Wildcats their tallest attacking option.

“She is just a sophomore,” Kegler said. “She is not really experienced yet, but she has come along way since the summer league.”

The offense will again run through junior Trinitee Gutierrez, who will serve as the team’s sole setter while they await Megan Ensminger’s return from injury.

With all that talent back, the Wildcats’ confidence is certainly high.

“I think we have one of the better squads that we have had,” Storrer said. “We play really well together when we are clicking so I think we will have a very successful season.”

Marmaton Valley sophomore Patricia Outlan goes up high to get a kill during a Wildcat preseason practice. REGISTER/JON DYKSTRA

Wildcats field full girls team

W

hen the Marmaton Valley girls cross country team takes the course this year, they will be able to do something that was impossible last season.

The Wildcats will be able to compete for team titles now that they have five runners out for the sport. To get a team score at a meet a team needs to have at least four runners.

The Wildcats are led by a junior with Shelby Yoho returning after a top-five regional finish last season. She comes back with even higher aspirations for the 2016 season.

“I’m hoping to get a better

time in regionals and qualify for state again this season,” Yoho said.

Elizabeth Johnson, the team’s only sophomore, will be counted on to support Yoho as another leader for the team.

The class that pushed Marmaton Valley over the required number of girls is the freshman class. Allison Heim, Heather Hicks and Christina Mynatt were all very successful at the middle school level.

“They’ve improved a whole lot with their running and times,” Yoho said. “I’m hoping we can take a team to state this year.”

Wildcat coach Steve Smith

agrees with Yoho and likes what he’s been seeing so far, “I like the attitude from the whole team so far this year,” Smith said. “They are improving their effort. We still have a ways to go as far as competitive running, but with hard work, we will get there.”

BOYS PREVIEW Marmaton Valley only has one boy out for cross country this season with Dmitri Lamping joining the team for his senior year.

“This is the first time he has done cross country so he has a lot to learn, but he has the right attitude,” Smith said.

HEAD COACH: Steve Smith SCHEDULE: September 1 - at Burlington 8 - at Fort Scott 15 - at Parsons 20 - at Iola 29 - at Central Heights October 6 - at Pleasanton 13 - at Burlington Marmaton Valley’s Shelby Yoho runs during the state track and field meet last spring. REGISTER/JON DYKS-

TRA

The Iola Register Fall Sports Special

Saturday, August 27, 2016

ne acc No w ep w pa tin tie g nt s

Best of luck to this Fall’s area sports teams!

Have fun and stay safe!

See you at the game!

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22 Saturday, August 27, 2016

The Iola Register Fall Sports Special

Lancers ready to make the jump

HEAD COACH: Abigail Hermreck year)

A

(4th

SCHEDULE: August 27 - at Pleasanton Tourn.

30 - at Madison September 6 - at St. Paul 13 - at MdCV 17 - at Humboldt Tourn.

20 - Altoona/Chetopa October 4 - at Pleasanton 8 - at Uniontown Tourn.

11 - at Jayhawk-Linn 18 - at Oswego

Crest senior Miranda Golden leaps to pick up a kill during a Lancer practice. Golden is one of three four-year starters returning. REGISTER/JON DYKSTRA

bigail Hermreck has been very patient with her Lancer volleyball program ever since taking it over four years ago, but part of the reason for her patience has been because the Crest coach knew just how special her team could be if she was patient and developed her players.

“I think this is the year that we can really pick up some more wins,” Hermreck said. “We played competitive with a lot of teams but came up just a point or two short, we could see the horizon last year.”

The players have developed, the team has improved each season and now the Lancers are ready to make a statement in 2016.

“We are tired of settling.

We are more intense this year,” senior Laurel Godderz said. “We are going to make it to state.”

The Lancers almost qualified for the state tournament last year, but came up one game short.

“In the locker room right after substate, instead of tears and all that stuff, it was, ’All right, now next year, we are going to state.’ It wasn’t sadness, it was all about next year,” Crest senior Miranda Goldman said.

The return of three senior standouts is the primary reason Hermreck is so excited.

Hermeck has coached the senior class for the past six seasons, ever since they were in the seventh grade and Hermreck was the middle school

coach at Crest.

That group is led by returning all-league performer Goldman whose powerful right hand led the team in kills last season.

In addition to Goldman, seniors Godderz and Karlee Hammond also return as four-year starters under Hermreck.

Around their seniors, Crest also has a superb sophomore class that should play a huge role this season. The ultra-athletic trio of Camryn Strickler, Cassie Bowen and Reagan Godderz appear poised for big second seasons in the Crest uniform.

“We have six phenomenal sophomores and they each are going to be huge reasons why we go to state this year,” Goldman said.

Titans rely on youth for big year

T

SCC junior Erikah Lyons sets a ball during a preseason Titan volleyball practice. REGISTER/JON DYKSTRA

he Southern Coffey County volleyball team lacks experience amongst its senior class as they prepare for the 2016 season, but luckily for the Titans, their junior class more than makes up for that.

Led by mainstays Erikah Lyons and Danielle Kasprzak, the junior class provides the team with its returning leaders in kills, assists, digs and blocks.

“This team would rank right up there with one of the more experienced teams that I have had as a head coach,” Titan coach Jeff True said.

Lyons enters her junior year as a proven commodity for the Titans. Despite being one of the Titans primary setters for most of the season, Lyons also accounted for 90 kills as a sophomore and will be looked to do even more this

season.

“I always aim to improve and this season I really want to make all-league first team.

Last year I made the second team,” Lyons said.

The pass leading to most of Lyons’ kills last year came from Kasprzak, who had a team-high 178 assists last season. Kasprzak was an allaround player for the Titans in 2015. She also led the team with 83 blocks.

The junior class also includes Kimberlyn Gunlock — who is the Titans’ returning leader in digs with 91 — and Brytni Graham.

A pair of sophomores have True excited about the potential versatility of his team.

“Haven Harvey and Crystal Alumbaugh both have some size and have the reach to cover the outside hitting position defensively, that will allow

Ericah and Danielle to wind up and hit a little more,” Trus said.

True is confident that the team can make a real step forward this season.

“We want to improve on last year and I think we will,” True said. “We are a little more athletic this year so I hope that we can cover the floor a little bit better and be a little more consistent on our passing.”

The team worked hard during the summer to put in the work necessary to make those improvements. True estimated that they had around 90 percent attendance in summer leagues.

“The girls had a good summer,” True said. “They played down at Yates Center in summer league volleyball and in Burlington in their recreational league.”

HEAD COACH: Jeff True (6th year) SCHEDULE: August 30 - Olpe at Eureka September 6 - St. Paul/Crest at Pleasanton 13 - St. Paul at Marmaton Valley 17 - at Hartford Invitational 20 - at Waverly 24 - at Burlington Invitational 27 - Burlingame/Olpe October 4 - Madison at Hartford 8 - at Uniontown Tourn.

11 - Lebo/MdCV 15 - LCL at Emporia

The Iola Register Fall Sports Special

Saturday, August 27, 2016

GO! FIGHT!

!

N I W

Best Wishes To All Our Area High School Athletes

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24 Saturday, August 27, 2016

The Iola Register Fall Sports Special

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