Boys Volleyball – Despite key losses, Hornets have pieces in place to challenge for EPC and District XI Championships (SEASON PREVIEW)

Head coach – Ken Dunkle (6th season)

Assistants – Karyn Moll (JV) and Brianne Giangobbe

Last year – 12-4 EPC (T-3rd) 12-6 overall; Qualified for EPC Tournament, lost to Whitehall 3-0; Qualified for District XI Tournament, lost to Freedom 3-0)

Losses to graduation – OH Stephen Reynolds (1st team kills with 166, 1st Team EPC), MH Owen Kennedy (2nd kills – 117), L Harrison Dottery (1st digs – 263, Honorable Mention EPC), MH Mark Swedberg, OH Ethan Parvel (3rd Kills 108), OH Bryce Diehl, DS Callen Reid,

Returnees – Jr. OH Nick Blose (3rd Digs – 119), Sr. MH Noah Szankovics, Jr. S Gannon DeFrain (1st assists with 814/2nd digs with 131) , Sr. L/DS Nathan Eshleman, Sr. MH Miguel Abadilla, Sr. L/DS Riley Bender

Newcomers – Jr. OH Kyle McKiernan, Soph. MH/OPP Noah Parker, Jr. L/DS Haydn Child

Season-opener – March 30 @ Bethlehem Catholic (5:15 pm)

Challengers in EPC – Whitehall, Parkland, Liberty Freedom

Coach Dunkle – “We have the pieces in place to challenge for both the EPC and District XI Championships this season. Our team chemistry is really good this year, a lot better than it was a year ago and the players all get along really well with each other. Nick (Blose), Noah (Szankovics) and Gannon (DeFrain) are the foundation of our program. “

Follow the team on social media – Twitter (@Emmaussports.com) (@EmmausBoysVBall), Facebook (Emmaus boys volleyball)