032516 Spring Sports

2016 SPRING SPORTS A special section of the Edwardsville Intelligencer – May 25, 2016

Seniors will lead way again for Edwardsville

By EVAN MEYERS emeyer@edwpub.net After an outstanding regular season, the Edwardsville baseball team was knocked out of the postseason with a loss to O’Fallon in the sectional semifinals. The loss should provide plenty of motivation for the Tigers this season.

The Tigers started last season on a 19-game winning streak and they didn’t lose their first game until April 24, finishing at 35-2. It was a season that had EHS as the No. 1-ranked team in the state and had every opponent bringing their best game when they visited Tom Pile Field.

“When you get that many people excited, that means you’ve had a lot of good things happen to you,” EHS coach Tim Funkhouser said. “You learn some things during that, but the most important thing is it shows you love playing together.”

This year’s team, ranked second in the state, will have to replace 13 seniors from last season, but will have plenty of seniors looking to take on those roles. There are 12 seniors on this year’s roster and plenty of them come in with experience.

“I think these guys are looking forward to the challenges they are going to see this season,” Funkhouser said. “That’s one of the fun parts of the season is seeing these guys come together as a team.”

Daniel Lloyd was the top starter last season and went 10-0 with a 0.57 ERA. Aaron Jackson was also dominant on the mound, going 7-0 with a 0.67 ERA. The loss of those two seniors doesn’t mean the Tigers will be without pitching this season. Returning to the team are Jake Garella, Trey Riley and Tyler Hosto, all of whom had plenty of success last season in their junior year.

Evan Meyers/Intelligencer

Seniors on the EHS baseball team, front row from left: Trey Riley, Tyler Hosto, Cole Cimarolli, and Isaac Accola. In back row: Joe Wallace, Jordan Yenne, Max Kieffer, Jake Garella, Collin Clayton, Tyler Stamer, Cole Hansel and Nathan French.

Garella and Riley posted similar numbers last season. Garella had seven starts and finished with a record of 5-1. He had an ERA of 1.89 and gave up 26 hits over 40.2 innings. In relief, he picked up three saves.

Riley also posted a 5-1 record. In six starts, he had a 2.31 ERA in 30.1 innings of work.

“We’re going to lean on those guys,” Funkhouser said. “They are guys who would have done more if it weren’t for a quality senior

class before them. Jake is a guy who has been doing things for us since his freshman year. Trey got a lot of innings on the mound last year and some at-bats as well.”

Hosto only made three starts last season, but he won all three. In those starts, he only allowed just one run, and six hits, to finish with a 0.38 ERA. Edwardsville can also use Max Kieffer and Jordan Yenne on the mound as well.

Outside of the pitching, the Tigers look like they will continue to have

a dangerous offense. Edwardsville averaged 8.9 runs per game in last year’s campaign, scoring over 10 runs in 17 games.

Leading the team in hits last season was Collin Clayton, who will be returning for this season. Clayton had 44 hits to finish with a batting average of .389. Twelve of those hits were for extra bases and helped him to an on-base percentage of .481. He also hit two home runs last year.

“Collin Clayton has been a producer since his sophomore year and

we expect him to continue to do that for us,” Funkhouser said. “Joe Wallace is another one that has been with us and he’ll be up there this year.”

Wallace had 11 hits in 38 at-bats.

His value to the team will come from behind the plate, as he will be the starting catcher.

With a large graduating class last season, there will be plenty of spaces for new players to shine. Cole Cimarolli is expected to pick up a bigger role this season. Used for

his speed, the outfielder had some chances to hit and as a pinch hitter.

He finished last season with three hits in seven at-bats and scored 13 runs.

Cole Hansel and Joel Quirin will also be picking up bigger roles this season. Neither had over 20 at-bats last season, but Funkhouser has been impressed with their progression and expects them to produce at the plate.

“We've got Cole Hansel, who’s a guy that has been practicing with us the past few years, and we've got Quirin,” Funkhouser said. “They're part of a group of guys who have done a lot of things for us, and it will be their time to help anchor it.”

No matter whom Funkhouser calls on to help the team, the Tigers will be excited when they get into the swing of the schedule.

Edwardsville opens Southwestern Conference play March 29 against Collinsville at Tom Pile Field. The first rematch with O’Fallon will take place on April 14 in O’Fallon.

The Tigers went 14-0 in conference play last season, winning six of the games by double digits.

Outside of the conference, the Tigers will be playing in the Rawlings Pro Preferred Classic Baseball Tournament in Dalton, Ga., which started March 24.

“One of our goals this season will be to be to continue to bond as a team. We also need to understand the process of failure and success as it comes to us,” Funkhouser said. “I think our guys are looking forward to this season and that challenge. It will be fun as it all comes together.”

The final game of the regular season will also be Senior Night for the Tigers as they take on Waterloo on May 23 at Tom Pile Field.

“I think everybody across the whole state is really excited about the season and the guys know what they can do,” Funkhouser said.

“What we want to be is a team that is excited at the end of the year.”

E'ville is strong despite graduation losses

By MATTHEW KAMP mkamp.edwi@gmail.com Gone is a senior class that helped Edwardsville win 126 games, which included four regional, three Southwestern Conference and two sectional championships.

Six of the nine seniors were routinely in the starting lineup on last year’s team that finished 29-5, including 14-0 in the SWC, and made a second straight appearance in the Class 4A Illinois State University Super-Sectional.

That doesn’t mean the state’s sixth-ranked Tigers will be down this year, though. There will just be opportunities for other players to step up.

“We graduated so much in terms of what they had done in a four-year span for the program. We have some big shoes to fill, but we have another class of seniors. Some have awaited their opportunities, and it’s now here. I’m anxious to see what they are going to do, how they are going to do it,” said coach Lori Blade, who is 626-98 in 20 seasons, including 367-68 in 12 seasons at EHS. The three returning senior starters, outfielders Rachel Anderson and Hayli Green and second baseman Jordan Corby, offer good starting points for the Tigers.

Anderson, an all-state center fielder committed to SEMO, led the team in hitting (.484), homers (seven), extra-base hits (26) and stolen bases (eight). She also drove in 30 runs.

Corby, a Missouri Baptist recruit, hit .457 with 24 RBIs, while Green hit .405 with four homers and 26 RBIs. “We do have a good nucleus of those kids with several years of varsity experience,” Blade said of the three seniors. “Around that, we are going to have to build.”

Matthew Kamp/Intelligencer

Senior members of the Edwardsville softball team from left to right are: Allison Loehr, Jennifer Kocevar, Rachel Anderson, Hayli Green, Jordan Corby, Jennifer Werner and Devin Kane.

Edwardsville must fill its biggest void in the circle, where Kallen Loveless was dominant during her career with the Tigers. The all-state right-hander is now at Saint Louis University after going 20-2 with a 1.39 earned run average last season.

She also hit .464 with five homers and a team-leading 33 RBIs. Seniors Allison Loehr and Jennifer Kocevar and junior Jordan Garella offer the most returning varsity experience in the circle.

Loehr, a McKendree recruit, went 5-2 with a 2.26 ERA in 10 games,

while Garella was 2-1 with a 1.05 ERA in six games and Kovecar was 1-0 with a 1.35 ERA in four games.

“Kallen is going to be a big loss.

She’s been pitching varsity for four years — the ace for two,” Blade said.

“They are going to get the opportunity. Allison will get some time.

Kocevar will get some time. Garella will get some time, and then we will drop down to underclass kids.”

Sophomores Hannah Zeier, Jordyn Henricks, and Meghan Gorniak and junior Margaret Curtis are underclass options.

Henricks could also see time in the outfield.

“Jordyn has done a great job in the outfield and pitching. I like what she’s coming into the season with,” Blade said.

Anderson will patrol center field once again, but who flanks her remains a question. Green, who played left field last year, can also play shortstop, and junior Sarah Hangsleben could move into right field after hitting .471 in part-time work last year. There’s also senior Devin Kane who will be added to

the outfield mix.

If Green doesn’t make the move to infield, Edwardsville can go young with either sophomore Lauren Taplin or sophomore Anna Burke. Neither had more than 14 at-bats last year.

Garella and sophomore Emma Lewis are likely candidates at third base, while senior Jennifer Werner leads a number of candidates at first base.

Shortstop Ari Arnold and all-state third-team third baseman Katelyn Bobrowski had started on the left

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side of the infield the last four years.

Two positions that are solidified on the infield are Corby at second base and sophomore Taryn Brown returning behind the plate.

“She does a great job, especially defensively. She’ll get the opportunity offensively this year,” Blade said of Brown, who had just six at-bats last season. The Tigers used a designated player for her in the lineup.

Constructing an everyday lineup, especially with her team’s versatility and depth, isn’t going to be easy for Blade, but the hitters can make that decision a lot less tougher.

“Just like we’ve done so much in the past, whoever is going to hit is going to get more time,” Blade said. “We are going to see, because I need to see what kids are going to do offensively. I’ll sacrifice a little bit defensively to get more offense going most days.”

If Edwardsville can get enough offense to help an inexperienced pitching staff gain early-season confidence, a SWC title for a fourth straight year is well in grasp.

League challengers will include Belleville East, which returns two senior pitchers from last year’s second-place finisher, Belleville West, Collinsville, Alton and O’Fallon.

Edwardsville started the season 1-1 heading into Thursday's game against Bunker Hill. The Tigers opened with a win at Civic Memorial before losing to Gillespie.

The SWC opener isn’t until a trip to Collinsville at 4:30 p.m. on March 29.

“We are going to start earlier so we have a lot of teaching to do, but it does excite me,” Blade said of a new season starting. “One, for the kids getting opportunities that they’ve been waiting for. Two, for kids getting those opportunities that don’t have a lot of experience at the high school level and getting to see what they’re going to do.”

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Page 2

Spring Sports

March 25, 2016 — www.theintelligencer.com

Defending state title is primary goal for EHS

By SCOTT MARION smarion@edwpub.net After finally succeeding in its quest to win a state championship, the Edwardsville boys’ track and field team hopes to do it again.

Last year, EHS had 55 points to win the Class 3A state meet at Charleston, outscoring Evanston and Naperville Neuqua Valley, which tied for second place with 37 points, and fourthplace Plainfield Central, which had 36. It was the first state title for the Tigers, who finished second in 2012 and tied for second in 2014.

Graduation losses from last year include Fontez Davis, Isaiah Michl and Wes Schoenthal. Davis placed first in the long jump (23-6) and was also part of three medal-winning relays. Michl overcame an injury-plagued season to finish third in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles (38.00) and Schoenthal capped his prep career with a second-place finish in the 800-meter run (1:51.91).

Other seniors who scored points at state were Rene’ Perry, Jack Lever and Suleman Bazai. That leaves some holes to fill, but coach Chad Lakatos feels that the Class of 2016 is ready to step in.

“We do have a good group of seniors coming back and something we’ve been talking about with them is their leadership,” Lakatos said.

“Last year they were juniors looking up to a good group of seniors and they didn’t get an opportunity to take that role.

“They’re working on that and I think we’ve got a few seniors that can play a major role. We also have a great junior class, some good sophomores and some incoming freshmen.

When you put them all together, hopefully we can have some good relays and some good (individual) events on the track and on the field as well.”

The senior class includes Desmond Chapple, who could be a state meet contender in the shot put. Chapple recently signed to play football at the University of Northern Iowa.

“He’s had a good indoor season so far and he just missed qualifying last year,” Lakatos said. “He’s hungry and excited about the opportunity.

He’s got a live arm, so if he can just get more consistency, he’ll be even better.”

Senior Tariq Minor also narrowly missed qualifying for state in the triple jump.

“Once again, we’re looking for consistency, and if he can do that, I think he can hit the qualifying mark,” Lakatos said.

Scott Marion/Intelligencer

Seniors on the Edwardsville boys' track team include, front row from left, Levon Hendricks, Tariq Minor, Justin Citrowske, Tommy Giacacobbe and Devin Cunningham. In the back row are Devin Madison, Jackson Warrer, Seth Jacobs, Desmond Chapple, Cory Wilkinson and Derrick Whitehead. Not pictured is Kendell Davis.

At least for the start of the outdoor season, the Tigers will be without the services of senior sprinter Kendell Davis, who recently had surgery on his right wrist.

“It was a lingering issue from football and he needed to get it taken care of,” Lakatos said. “He’s committed to playing football his freshman year (at Missouri Baptist University) and we wanted to make sure he’s good and healthy for that. Hopefully he can come back after that surgery and we can get him back in the lineup.”

Another senior, Devin Cunningham, was slowed by injuries last season and was injured again this year at the start of the indoor season. If healthy, he will compete in the sprints and sprint relays.

Senior Seth Jacobs, who contributed on some of the relays last season, looked strong during winter workouts and could play a bigger role this year.

Tommy Giacobbe is a senior in his first year on the track team. He hopes to duplicate the success of Bazai, a soccer player who was a standout sprinter last year in his first season of track.

“He’s got a lot of speed, so we’re looking to utilize him in the 4x200 and 4x400,” Lakatos said.

Senior Derrick Whitehead could join Chapple and junior AJ Epenesa in the throwing events.

“He hasn’t gotten to throw indoors because he’s been taking care of some stuff in the classroom, but hopefully once outdoor season comes, he’ll get his opportunities,” Lakatos said. “He’s right around the 50 (foot) mark in the shot put. It’s tough because there are two other guys he’ll be competing with, but when you come to practice and you have three guys that are pretty good, I think it makes them all work harder.”

Levon Hendricks should contrib-

ute in the triple jump, while Corey Wilkinson is the lone senior in the distance events.

The junior class features Epenesa, who capped his sophomore year with a second-place finish of 191-7 in the discus at the state meet. Along the way, he broke several school and meet records. Epenesa also placed ninth at state in the shot put with a throw of 53-9.25.

“AJ was an All-American last year in the throws,” Lakatos said of Epenesa, who recently committed to the University of Iowa for football.

“He made his mark in the discus, but his ninth-place finish in the shot put was kind of a surprise. We’re looking for him to be consistent in the discus and maybe get five or six more inches out of the shot put.”

Junior Travis Anderson was an All-State hurdler last year, placing second at state in the 110-meter high hurdles with a time of 14.45. He was also part of the fourth-place 400-

meter relay and the seventh-place 800-meter relay.

Devonte Tincher, also a junior, joined Anderson on the 400 and 800 relays. He takes over for Fontez Davis as the team’s top long jumper and had a leap of 23-2 in Edwardsville’s first indoor meet this season.

Junior Darryl Harlan earned All-State honors as part of the seventh-place 1,600-meter relay. He has been slowed recently by a hamstring injury and hasn’t run indoors.

As a sophomore last year, Justin White placed ninth in the high jump with a leap of 6-2. He has already cleared 6-2 indoors this year. White could also be part of the sprint relays.

Other juniors include hurdler Matt Griebe, who could also compete in the 1,600 relay.

Among the sophomores, Matt Swanson has stood out in the 800 and 1,600 relays.

“He had a great winter speed workout and he’s improved a lot

from last year,” Lakatos said. “He’s also a hurdler, so we’re excited to see what he can do.”

The most likely freshman to crack the varsity lineup could be Dionte Rodgers, who could take over on the lead leg of the 400 relay until Kendell Davis returns.

Edwardsville opens the outdoor season Saturday in the Southwestern Illinois Relays at the Winston Track and Field Complex. It will be the first step toward the Tigers’ ultimate goal of a second straight state championship.

“We don’t talk about it every single day, but the kids know what we want to accomplish,” said Lakatos, whose team had four indoor meets.

“Through the course of the season, our expectations are just to get better every day. (Southwestern) conference, sectional and state are the most important and we want to bring another trophy back to Edwardsville.”

Depth and experience provide boost for Tigers

By SCOTT MARION smarion@edwpub.net After a three-year stretch that included a Class 3A state title in 2012, a second-place finish in 2013 and a fifth-place finish in 2014, the Edwardsville girls’ track and field team gave itself a tough act to follow in 2015.

Last year, a young Tigers squad qualified for state in three events and didn’t reach the finals in any of them. But fifth-year head coach MiKala Thompkins expects EHS to be deeper and stronger in 2016.

"Last year was a rebuilding year for us, not only for having such young athletes stepping up into big positions, it was a rebuilding of confidence too,” Thompkins said. “Before that, we had girls like Kristen Dowell, Lauren White, Emmonie (Henderson) and Aaliyah (Covington) who filled so many positions.

"The girls who are now our leaders were kind of hanging back and watching them and it was their time to shine, and it was kind of a shock factor for them."

Graduation losses included only two seniors that played key roles, distance runner Lizzy Lynn and sprinter-hurdler Autumn Harris, who was team's lone individual state qualifier in the 100-meter high hurdles.

Returning state qualifiers include the entire 800-meter relay team, comprised of sophomore Lorie Cashdollar and seniors Tatiania Perry, Rikkail Berry and Olivia Watson. The three seniors will also fill spots on the 1,600-meter relay.

The 3,200-meter relay, which also qualified for state, featured Cashdollar, senior Danielle Bohannon and junior Victoria Vegher. Junior Bailey McGuire, who was also part of that relay, elected not to come out for track this season.

"The key is having all of that experience return this year as well as gaining some really talented athletes from the middle schools," Thompkins said. "We're extremely excited about the success we feel

Scott Marion/Intelligencer

Seniors on the Edwardsville girls' track team, front row from left, are Rachel Schoenecker, Colleen Corkery, Jenna Krone and Rikkail Berry. In the back row are Sydney Valentine, Emma Daech, Tatiania Perry and Danielle Bohannon. Not pictured are Olivia Watson and Jessie Chappel. that we're going to have."

Cashdollar, who was the Intelligencer's MVP for girls' track as a freshman, offers exceptional versatility. Last season, she was among the team's top three runners in the 200, 400, 800 and 1,600.

"She's definitely prepared for college, where there is unlimited opportunity for multiple events, but unfortunately she's reduced to only four events in high school," Thompkins said. "To have that kind of talent from the 200 up through the mile, you can't say that about many

athletes.

"We're happy to have her back, especially with the energy that she brings. She loves track and field."

Thompkins expects similar improvement from the other returning athletes.

"In our first three indoor meets, we were way ahead of the game compared to where we were last year," Thompkins said. "At EIU (Eastern Illinois University), we were third place this year and last year we were 11th."

Senior distance runner Colleen

Corkery, coming off a solid season in cross country last fall, could be one of the team's most improved athletes.

"Last (track) season was a really tough one for her, but this year we've seen huge strides for her," Thompkins said. "She has more confidence and we've really seen that shine."

Two other cross country runners, Vegher and sophomore Melissa Spencer, have been equally impressive.

"As we saw from her last year

in the 4x800 and 4x400, Victoria is really blooming," Thompkins said.

"Melissa is really starting to hammer down as well, especially in the 4x400."

Bohannon, who had battled injuries in her previous two seasons, was finally healthy as a junior and was one of the team's top runners in the 400 and 800.

"This being her senior year, she's only more pumped up about what she has to prove this year because she knows she has more left in her," Thompkins said.

In the throwing events, senior Jessie Chappel is coming off surgery for a torn muscle in her right arm.

But other athletes are looking to step up as Chappel continues her rehab.

"In our first (indoor) meet, Jessie went out and threw with her left arm and still did fairly well," Thompkins said. "Her recovery has been excellent and it's probably ahead of where she was supposed to be, and I look for her to come out and finish strong.

"Emma Daech, who is a senior, got a PR (personal record) in her first meet and (junior) Emma Maloney got a PR twice in a row.”

Newcomers include a pair of standout freshmen, Jaydi Swanson and Rachel Kubicek, in the 200 and 400.

"Kubicek was our second-fastest in the 400 until Swanson got that last week," Thompkins said. "In the 200, Swanson is right there with Tatiania Perry, who is a senior. It's a friendly competition between (Swanson) and Kubicek and it's making us that much stronger."

Other freshmen include Elise Krone and Jamya Moore in the hurdles.

"Having girls who retain some experience and confidence from last year during a rebuilding season, they've given our newcomers the confidence they need to come out and immediately step up," Thompkins said. "We're definitely deeper this year."

Edwardsville opened its outdoor season March 23 with a quad meet at Alton. In their first major meet, the Tigers, along with the EHS boys’ team, will host the Southwestern Illinois Relays Saturday at the Winston Brown Track and Field Complex.

"As far as expectations, we're looking to place in the top three in the (Southwestern) conference and by time we get to the sectional, I think we can pull off a top three as well," Thompkins said. "Last year we did not score any points at state as we didn't make it out of prelims, so this year our goal is to make it back into the finals and score some points."

March 25, 2016 — www.theintelligencer.com

Page 3

Spring Sports

Tigers seek better finish after regional loss

By MATTHEW KAMP mkamp.edwi@gmail.com The Edwardsville girls' soccer team enters the 2016 season with a chip on its shoulder.

The Tigers, who finished 15-52, were knocked out of the Class 3A postseason in the first round by Quincy despite holding a two-goal lead with 10 minutes remaining in the second half on their home field.

Edwardsville was seeking to play for a fourth straight regional championship.

"We have a lot of returning players, and the girls are really excited about this year," said EHS coach Abby Comerford, who is 80-39-17 entering her seventh season.

With a core group of players returning, led by its back line of senior Jane Ann Crabtree and juniors Mallory Mushill, Taylor Hansen and Allysiah Belt, expectations remain high for the Tigers, who have won at least 10 games in four straight seasons.

The defense allowed just 24 goals last season and posted nine shutouts.

"They are all experienced with a senior and three juniors. It will be good to have that experience back there," Comerford said.

This is the third straight season Crabtree, a first-team AllSouthwestern Conference selection last year, and Mushill, a third-team All-SWC selection, have started together at center back. Together, they have helped Edwardsville allow just 29 goals over the last two seasons, including five in 2014 when the Tigers went 23-2 with 19 shutouts.

Edwardsville must replace senior goalkeeper Lauren Serfas, who went 12-3-1 with a 1.05 goals against average. She opted not to play this season, but is staying on as a manager.

Freshman Regan Windau is Edwardsville’s new starter in goal. “(Windau) has that experience of being under pressure, and I think that she’ll do alright. As a freshman, she’ll have those jitters but she’ll get them out early,” Comerford said.

“Even at practice, she’s not afraid to be the wolf. As a freshman coming in, that’s a big deal. You are trying to bring your freshmen in to be vocal and make sure they understand the older girls don’t bite.”

Senior Marissa Bogner will also see time at keeper.

Trying to ease the team's transi-

Matthew Kamp/Intelligencer

Senior members of the Edwardsville girls' soccer team from left are: Lauren Serfas, Allison Blume, Lucy Bateman, Marissa Bogner, Mareea Gaines, Jane Ann Crabtree and Emily Kolo. tion to a freshman keeper will be an offense that struggled at times last season. Edwardsville scored more than two goals in seven of its 22 games.

EHS does return its top goal scorer in junior forward Abby Crabtree, who finished with seven goals and four assists last year. She’s the younger sister of Jane Ann and a second-team all-SWC selection.

There’s also junior midfielder Ashlin West, who had five goals, and sophomore midfielders Megan Woll, who had three goals, and Jocelyn Wagner, who had two goals and two assists.

A talented group of freshmen will try to help fill the vacant spots left by last year’s senior class that included

Lexi Norton, Allison Pritchard and Riley Mushill.

Ava Walls, Emma Sitton, Paityn Schneider, Sarah Kraus, Emma Hensley and Windau each made the varsity roster as freshmen.

Sitton, Schneider, Kraus, Hensley and Windau all played in the season-opening win over Springfield.

“We have 25 freshmen, so it’s the case that some of these girls are going to be competing for their spot. It’s not going to be that, ‘Oh, I have this spot and nothing is going to change about it.’ They are excited about it,” Comerford said. “We’ve already started changing the dynamic of the team. We are working together a little bit more and excited about the season.”

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and then traveled to Columbia and Collinsville this past week.

The Tigers are at home against Belleville West at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and then against Waterloo Gibault at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

New on the schedule this year is the Pepsi Showdown Challenge in Chicago. The April 15-16 tournament will replace the Quincy Invitational the Tigers have competed in the last handful of seasons.

"The girls are really excited about it. It's something that's different, and we are going to have quite a few college coaches there. It will be a good tournament for the girls," Comerford said. "Any team that we play up there could be a potential super-sectional or state opponent."

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A SWC championship remains elusive for Edwardsville.

The Tigers haven’t won the SWC since 2005, though they have routinely finished in the top half of the league. They were second in 2014, finishing a game behind five-time defending champion Collinsville and third a year ago.

"We are looking for a conference title this year," Comerford said.

A run to state would also likely go through Collinsville, which finished fourth in at the Class 3A state tournament last year.

Edwardsville opened the season in the Metro Cup, taking third place,

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Who Edwardsville plays at midfield and forward is a question that may have different answers throughout the season. Seniors Allison Blume and Mareea Gaines add depth at the position, along with West, Wagner and Woll.

The Tigers are deep at both positions, and that includes the incoming freshmen that can make an immediate impact.

With that much depth, Comerford has more options.

"We are going to have a number of players going in and out up top, and Abby (Crabtree) could also be one of our main players at center mid," Comerford said. "I think there's going to be a lot of girls having a lot of different players this year. As

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Page 4

March 25, 2016 — www.theintelligencer.com

Spring Sports

Edwardsville aims to continue winning ways

By EVAN MEYERS emeyers@edwpub.net Edwardsville boys’ tennis coach Dave Lipe is happy his program has become known for being one of the tops in the area, and with the talent it is has this year, it should be much of the same for the Tigers.

Last season, EHS sent six entries to the state tournament and finished with a team record of 13-8. Luke Motley and Erik Weiler made it in singles, as did the teams of Jonathon Koons and Alex Gray along with Joe Mezo and Carson Ware on the doubles side.

Of those entries, Motley, Weiler, Gray and Ware will all be returning this season. For Ware and Motley, it will be their senior seasons.

“We return a lot of talent from last year. The kids who are returning developed steadily as well,” Lipe said. “We also gained some new players. We added Zach Trimpe and Seth Lipe as two freshmen who come in ready to contribute.”

Trimpe and Seth Lipe will join Weiler, Motley, Gray and Ware in the top nine to start the season.

Rounding out the top of the lineup for the Tigers will be Dan Thomas, Ben Bequette and Logan Pursell.

If this year’s lineup is able to match the success of the lineups in the recent past, there should be a lot of wins coming Edwardsville’s way. Last year the team claimed its 15th straight sectional title as well as its 15th straight Southwestern Conference title.

“We’ve been solid for two decades, and that’s not something we take for granted. It’s something that’s fun.

If you work as hard as we do at it, you should be solid,” Lipe said. “We don’t set any tangible goals like we have to finish this high in conference. My goal is for us to become a team, be happy and have fun.”

With so much returning talent, it may be easy for the Tigers to have fun and pick up a lot of victories, and that starts with the team’s No.1 in Weiler. He had a 34-16 overall record in his sophomore year and finished with a 3-2 record at the state tournament. He was also a first-team selection for the SWC. “He has improved dramatically over the year,” Lipe said. “He was our No. 1 last year, and he will be a lot better this year than he was last year.”

Motley will be the No. 2 singles player once again. He finished last season with a 17-13 mark, and was a sectional finalist. Ware, who finished with a record of 29-16 and as a second-team all-SWC selection, will complete the senior class for the

Evan Meyers/Intelligencer

Members of this year's EHS tennis lineup, front row from left: Dan Thomas, Ben Bequette, Alex Gray and Luke Motley. In the back row: Erik Weiler, Seth Lipe, Zach Trimpe and Logan Pursell.

Tigers, and Lipe said it will be up to them to be leaders for the squad.

“Luke and Carson are going to provide a lot of senior leadership,” Lipe said. “They’re both returning state qualifiers who have improved from last year.”

As a freshman, Gray made an impact for the Tigers in his first season. He was selected as the SWC newcomer of the year and was a first-team selection for the SWC as he played his way to a 32-20 record.

While the other members of the team may not be returning state qualifiers, Lipe is confident they will be competitive. One of the things that has impressed him most so far

has been the progress his team has made since last season. Bequette, a junior, as well as two sophomores in Pursell and Thomas, made good use of their offseason workouts.

“Ben Bequtte has already shown he is going to better than he was last year,” Lipe said. “Logan Pursell and Dan Thomas are the same way.

Those kids have improved a lot.”

Lipe said it is great to know that even though the team is young, all of its members are working hard to improve for the years to come.

“It’s great. It’s fun to see them and know out of these kids, only Luke Motley and Carson Ware are seniors,” Lipe said. “We have two

good freshman, two good sophomores and two good juniors. There’s a lot of balance. It feels like we are going to be solid for years to come.”

Improving is something one has to do when they are going up against the challenges of the Tigers’ schedule. Lipe’s policy is to challenge his players early and that was the case again this season as EHS opened play in the DecoTurf high School Tennis Team Championships in Chattanooga Tenn., on March 18-19.

“We’ve got a tough schedule and it starts with Chattanooga,” Lipe said. “ I know that’s a tough way to begin, but I love beginning with a very challenging schedule. It shows

us right off the bat where we have to get better. That’s a great thing for us.”

After that, the Tigers got right into conference play as they traveled to Alton on Tuesday for their first SWC match.

Edwardsville will have a lot of challenges on the road this season. On April 15, the team will be traveling to Columbia, Mo., for the Rock Bridge Duals. The next week the team will play in the Belleville East Invitational, and then travel to Downer’s Grove for the Downer’s Grove South Invitational.

On the home side of the schedule, Edwardsville’s first home match

will be against MICDS on March 29.

On April 1-2, EHS will be hosting the Tiger Invitational, which will be played at Edwardsville High School and Liberty Middle School.

Senior Day will be on May 10 as the Tigers host SWC foe Belleville East. It will also be the last regular season match before heading into the conference tournament.

“What we want to do is try and send six kids to state again this year,” Lipe said. “We’d love to compete well in the conference and compete well in the sectional. We know we’ll have to compete. We have a tough schedule from the start.”

New starters will hold key for boys' volleyball

By MATTHEW KAMP mkamp.edwi@gmail.com It's a new team with the same expectations of competing for a Southwestern Conference championship and making a deep run into the postseason.

The Edwardsville boys' volleyball squad, which went 27-7 and captured conference and regional championships last season, must replace five seniors that were part of a run to the state tournament two years ago.

"We've thinned the herd since last year," Edwardsville coach Andy Bersett said. "Every year is a new challenge and you kind of just turn the page after each year."

In reaching the 20-win mark for the third time in the seven-year history of the program, Edwardsville set a single-season team record with 27 victories. The previous high was 25 in 2011, when it last won the SWC before last year.

The Tigers move on to the next page without last year's senior class of Joe Brammeier, Jake Vandever, Doug Jones, Will Frank and Ryan Bode. They were each two-year starters.

That means the team's top attacker and server (Frank), setter (Vandever) and defensive leaders (Frank, Vandever, Bode and Brammeier) are gone. Jones was second in blocking.

Bersett isn't concerned. He's had this season planned out two years ago.

"We've been talking about (this upcoming) year two years ago. Any time you're in a season, you're always thinking about what are we going to look like in a year or two years and who's going to do what position," Bersett said. "When you get to that year, it's not like where do we start.

"We already know what we have, and it's a group that loves to play volleyball."

It starts with seniors Mike Horton and Tommy Hartnagel.

Horton, who finished with 177 kills and 36 blocks, will make the switch from hitter to setter. He replaces Vandever, who had 764 assists in his final season.

"He's an extremely talented player," Bersett said of Horton, who has set for his club team.

After coming off the bench to pri-

Matthew Kamp/Intelligencer

Senior members of the Edwardsville boys' volleyball team are Mike Horton, left, and Tommy Hartnagel. marily serve as a junior, Hartnagel will get into the rotation as a hitter.

He had three kills on seven attacks last season.

"Talk about what hard work can do for you," Bersett said of Hartnagel.

Junior Jack Grimm returns at middle blocker. Last season, he finished with a team-high 41 blocks and 60 kills.0 Juniors Nick Allen, Will Bode, Joe Fitzgerald and Curt Sellers and soph-

omore Evan Billiter are also options at the net for Edwardsville.

"We have options. We just aren't sure how everyone is going to fit right now," Bersett said. "Even though we've know this group of players for awhile, it's still going to be a matter of how they look together."

Junior Spencer Burbach, who is currently involved in the spring play, and sophomore Lucas Verdun will battle to take over the libero role.

The defense will be key in helping Edwardsville defend its SWC championship.

Belleville East and O'Fallon will once again be the top challengers, but Bersett said any of the conference teams can win on any day.

"I think this is the deepest this conference has ever been," Bersett said.

"There's going to be some really good teams, especially with Belleville East and O'Fallon. This is going to be an

exciting year for the Southwestern Conference. Hopefully everyone is going to be beating each other up and raising the level of volleyball here."

The schedule doesn't change much for the Tigers. They are once again entered in tournaments at Joliet West, Vianney and O'Fallon with the non-conference schedule highlighted

by CBC coming to town April 7 and a trip to Vianney on May 9.

Edwardsville, which opened the

season Thursday at Belleville Althoff Catholic, is at Belleville East at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. The home opener is against O'Fallon at 5:30 p.m.

Thursday.

It's a tough opening stretch for the Tigers, but the season won't be dictated by the start.

"We've had good solid teams," Bersett said. "The goal is to be good at the end of the year and to be our best.

It's going to take work to get there."

March 25, 2016 — www.theintelligencer.com

Page 5

Spring Sports EHS Spring Sports Schedules EHS Baseball

March 29 vs. Collinsville, 4:15 p.m.

March 31 at East St. Louis, 4:30 p.m.

April 1 at Kirkwood, 4:30 p.m.

April 2 vs. Parkway South, 11 a.m.

April 2 vs. Naperville Central, 1:30 p.m.

April 5 vs. Alton, 4:30 p.m.

April 7 at Belleville West, 4:30 p.m.

April 8 vs. Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin, 4:30 p.m.

April 12 vs. Belleville East, 4:30 p.m.

April 14 at O'Fallon, 4:30 p.m.

April 16 vs. Hillsboro at Busch Stadium, 4:30 p.m.

April 19 at Granite City, 4:30 p.m.

April 20 at Centralia, 4:30 p.m.

April 22 at De Smet, 4:30 p.m.

April 25 vs. Wesclin, 4:30 p.m.

April 26 vs. East St. Louis, 4:30 p.m.

April 28 at Collinsville, 4:30 p.m.

May 3 vs. Belleville West, 4:30 p.m.

May 5 at Alton, 4:30 p.m.

May 6 vs. Lockport at Tiger Classic, 5 p.m.

May 7 vs. Highland at Tiger Classic, 11 a.m.

May 7 vs. Chatham Glenwood at Tiger Classic, 1:30 p.m.

May 10 vs. O'Fallon, 4:30 p.m.

May 12 at Belleville East, 4:30 p.m.

May 13 at Jerseyville, 4:15 p.m.

May 17 vs. Granite City, 4:30 p.m.

May 20 at Triad, 4:15 p.m.

May 23 vs. Waterloo, 11 a.m.

EHS Softball March 26 at Breese Mater Dei (DH), 11 a.m.

March 29 at Collinsville, 4:30 p.m.

March 31 vs. East St. Louis, 4:30 p.m.

April 5 at Alton, 4:30 p.m.

April 7 vs. Belleville West, 4:30 p.m.

April 8 at Triad, 4:15 p.m.

April 9 vs. Normal Community (DH), 1 p.m.

April 12 at Belleville East, 4:30 p.m.

April 14 vs. O'Fallon, 4:30 p.m.

April 16 at Rochester (DH), 10 a.m.

April 19 vs. Granite City, 4:30 p.m.

April 25 at Hardin Calhoun, 4:30 p.m.

April 26 at East St. Louis, 4:30 p.m.

April 28 vs. Collinsville, 4:30 p.m.

April 29-30 at Tiger Round Robin May 3 at Belleville West, 4:30 p.m.

May 5 vs. Alton, 4:30 p.m.

May 6 at Teutopolis (DH), 4 p.m.

May 9 vs. New Athens, 4:30 p.m.

May 10 at O'Fallon, 4:30 p.m.

May 12 vs. Belleville East, 4:30 p.m.

May 16 vs. Highland, 4:30 p.m.

May 17 at Granite City, 4:30 p.m.

May 20 vs. Waterloo, 4:15 p.m.

May 21 vs. Alton Marquette, 10 a.m.

EHS Girls' Soccer March 28 at Cor Jesu Academy, 5:30 p.m.

March 29 vs. Belleville West, 6:30 p.m.

March 31 vs. Waterloo Gibault, 6:30 p.m.

April 5 at Belleville East, 6:30 p.m.

April 6 vs. Alton Marquette, 6 p.m.

April 9 vs. Normal Community, 2:30 p.m.

April 11 vs. Triad, 6 p.m.

April 12 vs. Althoff, 6:30 p.m.

April 15-16 at Pepsi Showdown Tournament April 21 at Chatham Glenwood, 6 p.m.

April 26 vs. Granite City, 6:30 p.m.

May 3 at Alton, 6 p.m.

May 4 vs. Rochester, 6:30 p.m.

May 10 vs. O'Fallon, 6:30 p.m.

EHS Boys' Track and Field March 26 at Southwestern Illinois Relays, 10 a.m.

March 26 at Illinois Prep Top Times Invitational, Bloomington, 2 p.m.

March 29 at Belleville West Triangular, 4 p.m.

April 1 at O'Fallon Relays, 10 a.m.

April 5 at O'Fallon Duals, 4 p.m.

April 9 at Belleville West Invitational, 11 a.m.

April 15 at Granite City Invitational, 4 p.m.

April 23 at Winston Brown Invitational, 10 a.m.

April 26 Madison County at Collinsville, 4 p.m.

April 29 at Wanner Invite, Mount Prospect May 7 at Collinsville Invitational, 10 a.m.

May 11 Southwestern Conference Meet at Granite City, 4 p.m.

EHS Girls' Track and Field March 26 at Southwestern Illinois Relays, noon March 26 at Illinois Prep Top Times Invitational, Bloomington, 2 p.m.

March 28 at Alton Triangular Meet, 4 p.m.

April 1 at Belleville West Invitational, 3 p.m.

April 9 at Springfield Southeast Invitational,

10 a.m.

April 13 at Tiger Relays, 4 p.m.

April 15 at O'Fallon Invitational, 4 p.m.

April 26 Madison County at Collinsville, 4 p.m..

April 29 at Collinsville Invitational, 4 p.m.

May 2 at Belleville East, 4 p.m.

May 4 Southwestern Conference Meet at EHS, 4 p.m.

May 7 at Hazelwood Central Invitational

EHS Boys' Tennis March 29 vs. MICDS, 1 p.m.

April 1-2 Tiger Invitational April 6 vs. O'Fallon, 4 p.m.

April 14 at Granite City, 3:45 p.m.

April 14 vs. Jerseyville, 4 p.m.

April 15 at Columbia (Mo.) Rock Bridge Quad, 9:30 a.m.

April 20 at Civic Memorial, 4 p.m.

April 22-23 at Belleville East Invitational April 22 at Lyons Township, 4:30 p.m.

April 23 at Downers Grove South, 8 a.m.

April 27 at Belleville East, 4 p.m.

April 29-30 Tiger Duals April 29-30 at Pitchford Invitational, Hersey May 5-6 at Neuqua Naper Valley Invitational May 10 vs. Belleville West, 4 p.m.

May 13-14 at Southwestern Conference Tournament

EHS Boys' Volleyball March 25-26 at Joliet West Tournament March 29 at Belleville East, 5:30 p.m.

March 31 vs. O'Fallon, 5:30 p.m.

April 2 at Vianney Invitational, 9 a.m.

April 5 vs. Granite City, 5:30 p.m.

April 7 vs. CBC, 5 p.m.

April 12 vs. East St. Louis, 5:30 p.m.

April 14 at Alton, 5:30 p.m.

April 19 at Belleville West, 5:30 p.m.

April 20 at St. Dominic, 5:30 p.m.

April 26 at O'Fallon, 5:30 p.m.

April 28 vs. Belleville East, 5:30 p.m.

April 5 at Granite City, 5:30 p.m.

April 6-7 at O'Fallon Tournament May 9 at Vianney, 6 p.m.

May 10 vs. Alton, 5:30 p.m.

May 12 at East St. Louis, 5:30 p.m.

May 17 vs. Belleville West, 5:30 p.m.

Intelligencer Sports Staff

Edwardsville pitcher Trey Riley delivers a pitch during regular-season last year at Tom Pile Field for the Tigers.

MELHS Spring Sports Schedules MELHS Baseball March 28 vs. Gillespie, 4:15 p.m.

March 29 at Red Bud, 4:30 p.m.

April 1 at Brussels, 4:30 p.m.

April 2 at Greenville (DH), 10 a.m.

April 4 at Althoff, 4 p.m.

April 5 vs. Roxana, 4:30 p.m.

April 7 vs. Staunton, 4:30 p.m.

April 9 vs. Wisconsin teams and Centralia Christ Our Rock April 11 vs. Marissa, 4:30 p.m.

April 12 vs. Litchfield, 4:30 p.m.

April 13 at Mount Olive, 4:30 p.m.

April 14-16 at Lutheran North Tournament April 18 vs. Piasa Southwestern, 4:30 p.m.

April 19 vs. Civic Memorial, 4:30 p.m.

April 21 vs. Bunker Hill, 4:30 p.m.

April 22 at Lutheran North, 4:30 p.m.

April 26 at Mulberry Grove, 4:30 p.m.

April 27 vs. Nokomis, 4:30 p.m.

May 2 vs. Breese Central, 4:30 p.m.

May 4 at East St. Louis, 4:30 p.m.

May 5 at Breese Mater Dei, 4:30 p.m.

May 9 at Waterloo Gibault, 4:30 p.m.

May 12 vs. Roxana, 4:30 p.m.

May 14 at Dupo (DH), 10 a.m.

MELHS Softball March 28 vs. Gillespie, 4:30 p.m.

March 29 vs. Carlinville, 5 p.m.

March 31 vs. Piasa Southwestern, 4:30 p.m.

April 1 at Brussels, 4:30 p.m.

April 2 vs. Bunker Hill, 10 a.m.

April 5 vs. Centralia Christ Our Rock, 4:15 p.m.

April 7 vs. Staunton, 4:30 p.m.

April 8 at Nokomis, 4:30 p.m.

April 9 vs. Jerseyville, 2 p.m.

April 11 vs. Marissa, 4 p.m.

April 12 vs. Litchfield, 4:30 p.m.

April 13 at Mount Olive, 4:30 p.m.

April 14 at Roxana, 4 p.m.

April 25 at Cahokia, 4 p.m.

April 26 at Breese Mater Dei, 4:15 p.m.

April 27 at Alton, 4:30 p.m.

April 28-30 Wisconsin trip May 2 at Alton Marquette, 4:30 p.m.

May 4 vs. Lebanon, 4:30 p.m.

May 5 vs. Highland, 4 p.m.

May 9 at Waterloo Gibault, 4:30 p.m.

May 10 at Red Bud, 4:30 p.m.

May 11 vs. Mulberry Grove, 4:30 p.m.

May 12 vs. East Alton-Wood River, 4 p.m.

MELHS Girls' Soccer March 29 vs. Breese Central, 4:30 p.m.

April 4 at Staunton, 5:30 p.m.

April 6 vs. East Alton-Wood River, 4:30 p.m.

April 7 vs. Freeburg, 4:30 p.m.

April 8 vs. Gillespie, 4:30 p.m.

April 11 at Litchfield, 5 p.m.

April 12 at Wesclin, 4:30 p.m.

April 14 vs. Civic Memorial, 4:30 p.m.

April 25 vs. Piasa Southwestern, 4:30 p.m.

April 26 at Greenville, 7 p.m.

April 28 vs. Alton Marquette, 4:30 p.m.

May 3 at Carlinville, 6 p.m.

May 5 vs. Father McGivney, 4:30 p.m.

MELHS Track and Field March 29 at Litchfield (Alton Marquette, Gillespie, Vandalia), 4:30 p.m.

April 5 at Staunton (Piasa Southwestern, Roxana, Hillsboro), 4 p.m.

April 9 at Carlinville Girls Invitational, noon April 11 at Breese Central (Sparta, Lebanon, Wesclin), 4 p.m.

April 15 at Staunton Co-Ed Invitational, 4 p.m.

April 19 at Dupo (Columbia, Lebanon), 4 p.m.

April 25 Madison County Meet at Roxana, 3:30 p.m.

May 2 Prairie State Conference Meet at East

Alton-Wood River, 3 p.m.

May 9 at Dupo (Red Bud, Lebanon), 4 p.m.

MELHS Boys' Volleyball March 28 at Mehlville (Mo.), 6:30 p.m.

March 31 at Cape Girardeau (Mo.) Catholic, 6 p.m.

April 1 vs. East St. Louis, 5:30 p.m.

April 2 at Vianney Tournament April 9 at Rockwood Summit Tournament, 8:15 a.m.

April 11 vs. Althoff, 7 p.m.

April 14 vs. Duchesne, 6 p.m.

April 16 vs. Althoff, Waterloo Gibault, 2 p.m.

April 25 vs. Alton, 5:30 p.m.

April 29 at Grayslake North, 6 p.m.

April 30 at Rockford Lutheran, 1 p.m.

May 3 vs. O'Fallon Christian, 6 p.m.

May 9 at Belleville East, 5:30 p.m.

May 12 vs. Cape Girardeau (Mo.) Catholic, 6 p.m.

May 17 at East St. Louis, 5:30 p.m.

May 19 at Althoff, 6 p.m.

MELHS Boys' Tennis March 28 vs. Edwardsville JV, 4 p.m.

April 1-2 Tiger Invitational at EHS April 4 vs. Alton Marquette, 4 p.m.

April 5 vs. Alton JV, 4 p.m.

April 7 at Waterloo, 4 p.m.

April 13 vs. St. Charles Lutheran at Fort Zumwalt East, 4:30 p.m.

April 18 vs. East Alton-Wood River, 4 p.m.

April 20 at Alton Marquette, 4 p.m.

April 21 vs. Roxana, 4 p.m.

April 25 vs. Civic Memorial, 4:15 p.m.

April 27 at East Alton-Wood River, 4 p.m.

May 2 at Greenville, 4 p.m.

May 4 at Roxana, 4 p.m.

May 9 vs. Collinsville, 4 p.m.

Father McGivney Spring Sports Schedules Father McGivney Girls' Soccer March 28 vs. Anna Jonesboro, noon March 29 at Wesclin, 4:30 p.m.

April 2 at Hillsboro, 10 a.m.

April 5 at Roxana, 4:30 p.m.

April 7 at Springfield Southeast, 4:30 p.m.

April 14 vs. Litchfield, 4:30 p.m.

April 15 at Freeburg, 4:30 p.m.

April 18 vs. Centralia, 4:30 p.m.

April 21 vs. East Alton-Wood River, 4:30 p.m.

April 25-30 at Centralia Tournament May 2 vs. Gillespie, 4:30 p.m.

May 5 at Metro-East Lutheran, 4:30 p.m.

Father McGivney Baseball

(First-year program, all games are either junior varsity or freshman-sophomore) March 31 at Carlinville, 4:30 p.m.

April 1 at Staunton, 4:30 p.m.

April 8 at Brussels, 4:30 p.m.

April 25 at Mount Olive, 4:30 p.m.

Intelligencer Sports Staff

Edwardsville's Mike Horton goes up for a kill attempt last season against O'Fallon at Alton High School during the postseason.

“To-Do” List Target new customers Reach higher income households Improve my online presence Develop Social Media Activity Increase my return on investment Choose a “one stop shop” for MultiMedia!!

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Intelligencer Sports Staff

Edwardsville's Alex Gray prepares to hit a backhand shot during action last season at Alton High School.

Page 6

March 25, 2016 — www.theintelligencer.com

Spring Sports

Varsity newcomers must step up for MELHS

By EVAN MEYERS emeyers@edwpub.net After fighting to stay around .500 last season, the Metro-East Lutheran baseball team will have another fight before the season starts in replacing seven of last year’s nine starters.

It will provide opportunities for this year’s senior class to step up and try to improve on last season’s 13-15 record. It’s one of the things that has coach Joel Rempfer thrilled about the early part of the season.

"I’m excited for it because I’m not entirely sure what to expect, having lost seven of my nine starters,” Rempfer said. “There’s obviously a lot of new guys to the varsity level, but they aren’t new guys to the program.”

Returning varsity starters are Paul Kubicek and Jordan Brown.

Both will be instrumental as seniors as well as producing in the line up.

Kubicek, who played in all 28 games, was third on the team in hits last season with 27, which led to him ending with a .346 average. He was also valuable on the mound, making 10 appearances, going 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA and earning a save.

Brown also played in all 28 games for the Knights and finished with 18 hits. Three of those hits were for extra bases, and he finished the season with 11 runs.

While Rempfer would like to see his seniors emerge as leaders, he said he’s not going to push anyone into the role and will let his leaders come through during the season.

“A big part of being a leader is that you are a leader. I might pull a kid aside and say you have those leadership qualities, but part of that ability is no one has to tell you,” Rempfer said. “We will see who wants to be that leader. It will be about who will get guys to follow them and take that responsibility. You want your seniors because they’ve been around the program the longest, but leadership is a natural thing.”

There are plenty of options with seven seniors returning to this year’s roster. Both Jake Jump and Chase Langendorf will be returning after grabbing some varsity experience last season.

Jump’s experience came mostly as a pitcher, and the Knights will need him to work well on the mound if they plan on having suc-

Scott Marion/Intelligencer

Seniors on the Metro-East Lutheran baseball team are, front left to right, Chase Langendorf, Jake Ley and Paul Kubicek. In the back row are Reed Harmon, Alex File, Corby Johannpeter and Jordan Brown. cess this season. In five appearances, he went 2-0 with a 3.62 ERA last season. He also had 14 strikeouts compared to 11 walks.

Also new as varsity starters that could find themselves at the top of the lineup will be senior Reed Harmon and sophomore Eli Jacobs.

Harmon got in three games on the varsity level last season. He had two hits in his six appearances at the plate and came around to score on four occasions. This year

he will a big part of the lineup and defensively where he will play both infield and outfield positions.

Jacobs had seven game appearances last year, even though it was just his freshman season. The middle infielder only had one at-bat, but he came away with a hit and had an RBI to go along with it.

Rempfer will be giving him many more opportunities in his sophomore campaign.

“There’s a lot of intrigue with these guys and what they will be

able to do,” Rempfer said. “I’m excited to see what the team looks like when guy start firing on all cylinders.”

The Knights have plenty of tests on the schedule. From an opening game with Belleville West on March 15 to a late home game against Breese Central on May 2, Rempfer wants to see his team tested this season.

After opening at home with a doubleheader on March 18 against Calhoun, Metro only has one other

doubleheader on the schedule. This time the Knights will be traveling to Greenville on April 2 to take on the Comets.

From April 14-16, MELHS will be entered in the Lutheran North Tournament.

Senior Day for the squad will also be the final regular season game. The Knights will be matched up against Roxana on May 12.

By then, Rempfer will have a team that is full of varsity experience. Until the Knights get into the

swing of the season though, he will have to wait to see how different guys fill different roles.

“When people ask me how the team is going to be, I tell them I’m excited to find out. Something as simple as figuring out a lineup might be a challenge at first,” Rempfer said. “I think you’ll see that start to take shape and be there by the middle of the year. It’s tough to say for sure, but the potential for these guys to come through is there.”

First-year coach expects Knights to improve

By SCOTT MARION smarion@edwpub.net The 2015 season was a struggle for the Metro-East Lutheran softball team, with a 2-19 record and a first-round Class 1A regional loss to Lebanon.

First-year head coach Colin McLaughlin expects progress from the Knights in 2016.

“Last year was a little rough as far as the win total goes, but this year we have a lot more depth and a lot more experience,” McLaughlin said.

“I think some of the additions to the team will bring a lot.

“I do have higher expectations, but I don’t necessarily know if I have a win total in mind. I think we’ll see an improved team.”

McLaughlin was an assistant the past two years under Rob Stock, who resigned after replacing Dave Redden as athletic director. Stock remains with the team as an assistant coach.

After losing Morgan Schneider and Abby McMahon to graduation, Metro has a pair of returning seniors in outfielder-first baseman Karly Schley and catcher-infielder Audrey Paitz. As juniors, Schley hit .308 while Paitz hit .233.

“Audrey is battling some injuries right now, but she was our primary catcher last year,” McLaughlin said.

“She might be moving to first base this year.

“Karly played mostly outfield last year and she’ll still be doing some of that, but she’ll get some playing time at first base as well.”

Junior Cierra Frields was the No. 1 pitcher last year, starting 17 games and picking up both of the team’s victories. Frields, who batted .367 with a team-high 12 RBIs, will also play in center field.

Junior Emma Eberhart returns at second base after batting .214 as a sophomore.

A strong freshman class includes pitcher-third baseman Amber Keplar, catcher-first baseman Sidney Vetter, shortstop Sami Kasting and outfielder Olivia Halusan.

Keplar will supply support in the circle for the Knights, who primarily used Frields last year.

“Cierra did almost all of our pitching last year, but this year it will be

Scott Marion/Intelligencer

The only returning seniors for the Metro-East softball team are Karly Schley (left) and Audrey Paitz. more of a split with her and Amber, who comes in with quite a lot of pitching experience,” McLaughlin said.

Junior Claire Cunningham, who batted .300 as a sophomore, will play at third base while junior Abbie Niemeier will see time at second base. Junior Kenzie Lang will play first base and right field.

Rounding out the roster are sophomore outfielder Kylee Bowers, junior

outfielder Katie Houba, senior first baseman Rachael Calvert, sophomore outfielder-catcher-first baseman Kastilla Maine, sophomore third baseman-first baseman Brigitta Jones and sophomore outfielder-infielder Maddie Stewart.

“Some of the girls who played in the program last year were pretty new to the sport,” McLaughlin said.

“Now they’ve got a year under their belt and they’re a little more mature.

In a lot of cases, they seem to handle the mistakes that are naturally going to occur a little better.”

McLaughlin hopes to eliminate some of the defensive breakdowns that hurt the Knights last season.

“In a lot of our games, we would play four or five solid innings and we’d make one error, which would lead to three or four more,” McLaughlin said. “That cost us too many games, so we’re looking to

move past the mistakes we make and make the next play.”

MELHS was scheduled to open the season March 15 at Valmeyer, but the game was postponed until May 14 due to wet field conditions. The team went on a three-day tournament trip to Arkansas from March 17-19.

“We’ve always taken at least one road trip every year,” McLaughlin said. “Last year we went to a Lutheran school tournament in Wisconsin and

we’re going back there again this year (April 28-30). The girls really like that and we’ve got a lot of parents that come along as well.

“This year I want us to be competitive with all of the teams in our (Prairie State) conference, but with all of the teams outside of the conference as well. When we do go up against some of the upper-echelon teams, I don’t want us to be beaten before we start.”

March 25, 2016 — www.theintelligencer.com

Page 7

Spring Sports

New Metro coach looking for steady progress

By SCOTT MARION smarion@edwpub.net With a solid group of returning athletes and a handful of newcomers, first-year head coach David Moldenhauer is expecting improvement from the Metro-East Lutheran track and field team.

Moldenhauer, 23, spent the 2015 track season, his first at MELHS, as an assistant under Dave Redden, who retired as head coach and athletic director at the end of the school year.

A three-sport athlete (track, basketball and football), Moldenhauer graduated from Lutheran High Westland in Michigan. He then went on to Concordia University Chicago.

“I got a call from down here (at Metro) and that’s where I ended up and I’m really enjoying it,” said Moldenhauer, who coached the distance runners on the track team last year. “Then the opportunity opened up for head coach and I took it.

“The one year as an assistant really helped me to prepare for this job because I’ve got some big shoes to fill. I got acclimated to the school and to the environment and to the track program in general.”

Moldenhauer takes over a team which didn’t have any qualifiers for the Class 1A state meet, but he likes what he’s seen from Metro during practice and winter workouts.

“I know the distance runners in particular from working with them last year and (sophomore) Darion Brooks is already a lot better,” Moldenhauer said. “(Junior) Christian Engelbrecht has also worked hard and it’s encouraging

Scott Marion/Intelligencer

Seniors on the Metro-East Lutheran track and field team are, from left, Aurora Herbert, Jaria Hardaway, Emily Schulte, Elijah Culbert and Andrew Hull. to see their improvement.”

Among the sprinters, senior Elijah Culbert leads the way. He will see action in the 100- and 200meter runs as well as the 400- and 800-meter relays.

Junior Eli Harding has been

impressive in the long jump and in the 110- and 300-meter hurdles. He is also a part of the 800 relay.

Junior Luke Sengele and sophomore Kai Luckert will compete in the shot put and discus.

“We’re hoping that Luke will

break some school records this year,” Moldenhauer said.

On the girls’ side, senior Aurora Herbert looks strong in the shot put and discus.

“She’ll probably break some school records this year as well,”

Moldenhauer said.

Freshman Ellen Schulte, also a standout in basketball and volleyball, is a sprinter and will compete in the 100 and 200 and possibly the 400. She may also compete in the jumps.

Emily Schulte and Jaria Hardaway, the only seniors on the girls’ team, are sprinters as well.

Freshman Jamiah Lawson adds to the depth of the sprint group.

Junior Lydia Flaherty, best known as a volleyball player, returns to the track team after not competing last season. She will be a high jumper and a middle-distance runner.

In addition to the athletes he inherited from Redden, Moldenhauer also inherits the disadvantage of coaching a team that doesn’t have its own track.

“I know especially last year that was a big deal, but I’ve actually reached out to EHS (Edwardsville High School) and they have very graciously allowed us to come there to practice as long as they don’t have a meet at their track,” Moldenhauer said. “They get out of school much earlier than we do and after we do our warm-ups and everything, they’re about done with practice by the time we get out there.

“Here, we can do one or two hurdles in the gym and that’s about it, but now we can do full workouts with hurdles. We’ve got the long jump pits and the high jump pits, so having those facilities in addition to a full track is really helpful.”

MELHS opens the season Tuesday at Litchfield against Alton Marquette, Gillespie, Vandalia and the host Panthers.

“As a first-year head coach, I just want us to get better every day,” Moldenhauer said. “We’ve got a lot of good athletes, but at this point, I would say that Elijah Culbert, Luke Sengele and Aurora Herbert probably have the best shots at qualifying for the state meet.”

MELHS boys counting on senior leadership With a new coach in David Roderick, the Metro-East Lutheran boys’ tennis team is hoping to build on a good start to the 2016 season.

The Knights, who opened the season with a 7-2 win over Hillsboro on March 17, feature a blend of veterans and newcomers on their seven-man roster under Roderick, who coached the MELHS girls’ tennis team last fall.

Roderick coached boys’ tennis for one year at Collinsville. He coached basketball and baseball at two high schools in Joplin, Mo., and coached baseball at Carnahan High School in St. Louis. He is also involved in Lutheran ministry.

At MELHS, he inherits a team that returns five seniors, including three with varsity experience. The roster also includes a junior and two freshmen.

“We’re older this year, but we don’t necessarily have a lot of experience,” Roderick said.

The lone junior, Kedric Norwood, is better known as a soccer player, but he has claimed the No. 1 singles spot in his first year of high school tennis.

“He came out a week late and said he would love to play,” Roderick said. “He plays a high level of soccer, but he’s a pretty good athlete. Being a small school like we are and a private school, we try to give kids the option of doing multiple things.

“Even though he’s still doing soccer on the select level, he’s here as often as he can be. Several of our kids do other things like music and that’s been hard for me to adapt to, but I also value those opportunities.

That’s why my kids have gone to this school.”

Joel Eberhart is playing No. 2 sin-

Senior Trey Klaas is the No. 5 singles player, with another senior, Brett Masters at No. 6. Freshman Andrew Masters, Brett’s younger brother, rounds out the top seven.

Senior Mark Brown, who has some varsity experience, recently underwent surgery to have his appendix removed and he may not be able to play this season.

The doubles combinations include Norwood and Wilson at No. 1, Eberhart and Harding at No. 2 and Klaas and Brett Masters at No. 3.

“I feel like it will be good for Jonah St. Louis;Ernst Heating & Cooling;E36720;3.25x5 (15Sp-An) to be matched up with Kedric, who is such a good athlete,” Roderick said.

“They’re both kind of new to the game and I think they’ll work well together.

“Jacob and Joel are good friends and very much at the same level and they communicate very well. As we go through the season, we may mix things up to see how the dynamics are.”

In the Hillsboro match, all three ™ doubles The Ultimate Comfort System is teams picked up wins.

Singles winners for Metro were St. Louis;Ernst Heating & Cooling;E36720;3.25x5 (15Sp-An) Norwood, Wilson, Klaas and Brett a groundbreaking home heating Masters. and cooling system that makesMELHS plays a schedule comprised mostly of small schools. But perfection possible. the Knights will play Edwardsville’s junior varsity team Monday at EHS. “We’re hoping for steady improvement, especially with our seniors who have played in the past,” Roderick said. “We’ll play some teams that are 10 times our size, but we’ll also play some that are closer to our size.

The Ultimate Comfort System™ is “I think there are going to be seva groundbreaking home heating eral matches that will be very comScott Marion/Intelligencer petitive. I just want the kids to play and cooling system that makes Members of the Metro-East Lutheran boys' tennis team are, front row from left, Kedric Norwood, Andrew Masters and Jonah at their maximum every match and perfection possible.

Wilson. In the back row are Joel Eberhart, Brett Masters, Trey Klaas and Jacob Hardin. Not pictured is Mark Brown. that’s how you prepare for the end of the season.”

“He’s pretty close to Joel and played tennis other than just hitting gles, followed by fellow senior Jacob they’ve been good leaders for us,” Metro's next home match is April Jacob, but I didn’t want to start him around. He and Kedric are both new 4 against Alton Marquette. The Roderick said.

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Freshman Jonah Wilson is current- any higher than No. 4 if I don’t to competitive tennis, but they have a Knights will host Alton's junior var“They have been very close in potential.” have to,” Roderick said. “He’s never lot ofRECEIVE all of their challenge matches and ly in the No. 4 singles position. sity squad on April 5. *

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March 25, 2016 — www.theintelligencer.com

Spring Sports

Knights continue to build in their third season

By MATTHEW KAMP mkamp.edwi@gmail.com A second straight appearance in the regional championship finished off a 9-9 season for the second-year Metro-East Lutheran boys' volleyball team.

Now in their third year of existence, the Knights are looking to take the next step as a growing program.

"We're looking forward to this year," Metro-East Lutheran coach Jason Batty said. "Last year we were riddled with injuries, but we still ended up playing for a regional championship and we were happy with that. This year, we want to get as far as we can and stay healthy. My main concern this year is trying to stay healthy."

Metro-East, which will host the regional this season, returns three seniors, including defensive specialist Joseph Babcock and outside hitter Nathan Partelow.

There's also junior setter A.J. Risavy, who is 6-foot-7 and one of the top blockers in the area. The left-handed hitter has a standing reach of 8-foot-7 and a block jump of 9-foot-6. He plays for High Performance in St. Louis during club season.

Risavy is one of four Knights playing club volleyball. As a young team, getting players in year-round volleyball programs can be a key to future success.

"I have a few more kids that are playing club than I have in the past," Batty said. "They want to play, and they really have shown enthusiasm."

MELHS will use Risavy as the

Matthew Kamp/Intelligencer

Senior members of the MELHS boys' volleyball team are Joshua Gass, Nathan Partelow and Joseph Babcock. primary setter, but Batty did say the team may run a 6-2 rotation to allow for the junior to attack at times. Junior Alan Kusmierczak and Partelow are also listed at setters on

the roster.

Partelow is being more looked at as a hitter in his final season with the Knights. He's listed at 6-foot-1.

There's also 6-foot-4 junior Braden

Woolsey, 6-foot-1 junior Owen Gusewelle and 6-foot-1 junior Thomas Schroader that will be options in the offense.

Woolsey was injured last season,

and Batty said "he's one of our bigger hitters."

Babcock will anchor the defense once again.

"He's been working hard during

the offseason," Batty said.

Junior Stephen Korte returns for his third season as the libero. He also plays club volleyball.

Senior Joshua Gass and junior Ian Key will be other defensive contributors.

With no seniors on last year's team, Batty said the team has been able to get right to work in preparation for the season.

"Knowing that I don't have to constantly tell them or spend time on the little things really helps. Now, we are able to just go through the regular routine and hop right into it," Batty said.

There will also be seven freshmen entering the program, a year after there were none. It allows the Knights to have a junior varsity squad.

"It's been a big growth," Batty said. "It's helped out a lot."

MELHS will once again be one of the smaller area schools with boys' volleyball, but that hasn't kept it from succeeding. The Knights had wins last season over Granite City, Alton, Belleville Althoff and East St. Louis.

Those schools will once again be on the schedule this year, along with the Edwardsville junior varsity team at EHS on April 27 and at home on May 4.

The Knights will also compete in the Vianney Tournament on April 2.

Metro, which opened the season at Granite City and Alton this past week, travels to Mehlville at 6:30 p.m. Monday and Cape Girardeau Catholic at 6 p.m. Thursday.

Its home opener is against East St. Louis at 5:30 p.m. Friday.

Baseball program is starting at Father McGivney

By SCOTT MARION smarion@edwpub.net The athletic program at Father McGivney High School continues to grow with the addition of a baseball team this spring.

Father McGivney, which moved to its new campus on Bouse Road in Glen Carbon last fall after three years at St. John Neumann School in Maryville, already offers nearly a dozen sports, most of which currently compete at the junior varsity or freshman-sophomore level. But with enrollment at 125 students and expected to increase, and with several sports getting ready to move up to the varsity level, the school's administration felt it was the right time to add baseball to the mix.

"We had to look at what the cost might be, and whether there was a want for it," baseball coach Jason Schreder said. "I think both match up and there was enough interest from boys that want to play."

Schreder, who also coaches girls' basketball at Father McGivney, was a junior varsity and assistant varsity baseball coach for five years at St. Thomas More High School in Champaign. He also played baseball growing up in Princeton, Ill. The team has 15 players, including two seniors, Joey Richard and Hunter Klette, and two juniors, Dominic Bachman and Dillon Heinz.

Sophomores are Daniel Jones, Jacob Thiel, Matthew Taphorn and Joseph Perrine. Rounding out the roster are freshmen Jared Korte,

For the Intelligencer

Members of the Father McGivney baseball team are, front row from left, Jared Korte, Daniel Jones, Nick McLaughlin, Luke Winson, Noah Wilke, Nate Dammerich and Joey Richard. In the back row are coach Jason Schreder, Trevor Zahn, Dominic Bachman, Nick Thompson, Jacob Thiel, Hunter Klette, Matthew Taphorn and Joseph Perrine. Not pictured is Dillon Heinz.

Nick McLaughlin, Luke Winson, Noah Wilke, Nate Dammerich and Nick Thompson.

"We have a couple kids who are in band, which meets a couple days a week right after school, and some

are tutoring, so we probably haven't had a full squad since day one or day two of practice," Schreder said.

"But they're students first and we make it work."

Along with the blend of players

from four classes, there is also a wide range of baseball experience.

"One of our seniors, Joey Richard, is really excited about it and he played baseball growing up," Schreder said. "He was hoping they

would have had it sooner here at McGivney, but you can tell the sophomores and freshmen are a little more seasoned because they're a little more fresh off from playing. It's been a little while for the juniors and

seniors, so they're having to shake that rust off."

The Griffins currently have only five games scheduled with a mixture of junior varsity and freshman-sophomore opponents, but would like to add more games.

A lack of facilities is the biggest problem for Father McGivney.

Without its own field, the team usually has to practice in a parking lot at the school or indoors at the gym.

"Long-term, we have the acreage here for a field," Schreder said.

"That's our goal, but how far away that will be, I'm not sure.

"We've contacted Troy Park and Drost Park (in Maryville) to see if we can get on a field," Schreder said. The Turn 2 batting cages in Collinsville have also been accommodating in letting us use their facilities."

Father McGivney opened the season March 23 at Carlyle. Other games are March 31 at Carlinville, April 1 at Staunton, April 8 at Brussels and April 25 at Mount Olive.

The baseball team includes five players from the boys' basketball team, which will start playing a varsity schedule next season after playing a combined junior varsity and freshman-sophomore schedule this season.

"They had a week or two break after basketball and some of the kids played soccer as well (in the fall)," Schreder said. "Especially for the younger classes, there is some athleticism there. It's kind of a dangerous word, but I see potential."

Griffins make their varsity debut in girls' soccer

By SCOTT MARION smarion@edwpub.net Father McGivney High School is ready to make its varsity debut in girls’ soccer.

“It’s going to be really cool. It took a lot of hard work and a lot of patience and I think the girls are ready for it,” coach Tim Vance said.

This is the third year overall for the soccer program. In 2014 the team played a freshman schedule and last year it played a junior varsity schedule while posting a 5-8-3 record.

“That’s a lot of progress from the first year when we didn’t win a game,” Vance said. “We’ve got quite a few juniors and seniors that have been in the program for a while.

“To be honest, I don’t know what to expect this season because we haven’t played at the varsity level. We have 19 girls and we’ll play a varsity schedule only. We don’t have enough to do varsity and JV.” The Griffins have five seniors, including goalie Nina Rodriguez, forward Madelyn Thiel and midfielders Danielle Villhard, Paige Anderson and Alana Giacoletto.

Rodriguez was the leading scorer for the girls’ basketball team, which played a mix of JV and freshman-sophomore games.

“A couple of those girls played

Scott Marion/Intelligencer

Members of the Father McGivney girls' soccer team are, front row from left, Amaree Moss, Ashley Jones, Maggie Fine, Alana Giacoletto, Abbey Bloodworth, Kendyl Speight, Rachel Kassing and assistant coach Chelsea Smith. In the back row are assistant coach Sarah Deeter, Madelyn Thiel, Megan Schilly, Kara Mosby, Nina Rodriguez, Emily Finley, Danielle Villhard, Sophie Cruthis, Maggie Edwards, Joy Schollmeier and head coach Tim Vance. club soccer growing up, so we have a decent amount of experience,” Vance said.

The junior class includes defender Rachel Kassing and midfielders Megan Schilly and Sophie Cruthis.

Father McGivney has six sophomores, with Emily Finley, Kara Mosby and Maggie Fine on defense, Ashley Jones and Amaree Moss at forward and Abbey Bloodworth at midfield.

The five freshmen on the team are midfielders Emma Deist and Maggie Edwards, midfielder-forwards Ali Hay and Kendyl Speight and defender/goalkeeper Joy Schollmeier.

The seniors are especially happy

to be able to play a varsity schedule.

“I played soccer when I was younger, but I didn’t play again until I was a sophomore here,” Villhard said. “I took a while for me to get back into it, but coach Vance was

really patient with me. I thank him for that because I probably wouldn’t have had the opportunity to play at the high school level anywhere else.”

Thiel, meanwhile, had never played soccer until she came to Father McGivney and joined the team as a sophomore.

“Coach was willing to work with us on an individual level and help us with the skills that we needed,” Thiel said. “We have people with different skill levels, including girls that have played club their entire lives. “ The Griffins opened the season March 17-19 in the Carlinville Spring Cup Tournament. On March 21, they played the Belleville East junior varsity at East.

The first of five home games for Father McGivney is March 28 against Anna-Jonesboro. The home field will be at Tri-Township Park in Troy.

“We’ll be playing mostly against smaller schools, which will be competitive against what we have,” Vance said. “We don’t want to jump into playing Edwardsville, Collinsville and Triad even though they’re local.

“By next season, we hope to have our own field at the school, which would be a huge advantage for us.

This year, we just want to have a lot of growth and get better day by day.

The girls want to get six wins, which would be more than last year.”

March 25, 2016 — www.theintelligencer.com

Page 9

Spring Sports

Overcoming inexperience is priority for Metro

By EVAN MEYERS emeyers@edwpub.net Metro-East Lutheran soccer coach Noah Enke knows his team is young and inexperienced, but he thinks he has the senior leadership to balance that out.

“Playing 11-on-11 was a shock for half the team who had never played,” Enke said. “We’ve got a really good group of seniors who are willing to work, and the great thing about it is they are leading a group of seven or eight freshman who want to learn.”

Abby Yurchuk and Hanna Landers come in as senior captains and are joined by fellow senior Taylor Guilbeault. Enke expects those three to lead, and get his team through the early games, where the Knights inexperience will show the most.

“They are extremely valuable.

Abby and Hannah are so important as captains right now,” Enke said.

“Hannah is controlling the defense and helping me get them all set.

Abby has to take control of the forwards and midfielders. We have a little more experience there but not all that much.”

Yurchuk and Landers are the only returning players with plenty of time for a 4-10 team last year. They played a very similar role for the team last year on a team that only had 16 players last season. This season the Knights’ roster is even smaller with 15.

Yurchuk was the leading goal scorer for the Knights a season ago, netting 10 goals in 11 appearances. She finished the season with 21 points. The rest of the team only combined for five goals.

Picking up one of those five goals was Landers, who was also pivotal to the Metro defense last season. She also had 11 appearances for MELHS last season.

It’s after those two returning seniors that the roster shows its inexperience.

“We have to take it as a day-byday process with the younger players,” Enke said. “I think it’s going really well. We’ve already taken some giant steps, and you can see the potential that they have.”

Starting with the defense, the Knights will start a freshman in goal as well as having three freshman fullbacks on the roster.

Kori Stegall will be the keeper for the Knights. Taylor Bradley and

Evan Meyers/Intelligencer

Seniors on the Metro-East Lutheran girls' soccer team are, from left, Taylor Guilbeault, Hannah Landers and Abby Yurchuk.

Miranda Snyder will be on the back line, as will Miriam Wolf in the freshman heavy defense.

The offense won’t be as young, but still shares in some of the inexperience. Joining Yurchuk at forward will be Guilbeault and freshman Maycen O’Leary. Even though she is a senior, Guilbeault comes in with only one game of varsity experience.

“We do have more experience on the offense. A lot of people, even if

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Still even with the inexperience, Enke said he likes how hard the girls

are willing to work and try to learn the game.

“We’ve already made some giant steps. Each day we come a little closer,” Enke said. “We’re hoping by regionals, we got a team that’s not what people think. That’s just ready to go.”

The Knights have 15 games on this year’s schedule. After two games on the road, the team gets a chance to play at home on March 29 against

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“The team bonding is coming together and since the start of the season you could see that,” Enke said. “The juniors and seniors want to lead and the freshman and sophomores want to put their best forward every time.”

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