With some good early returns from the preseason, Whitehall head boys' volleyball coach George Cowitch likes his team's outlook.

The Zephyrs did graduate five seniors from last year's squad, but they will have a returning core that can possibly help the team make a deep-season run.

"We have looked good so far," said Cowitch, who will begin his ninth season. "The guys have been responding well, and we have a good nucleus back. Our overall trajectory with this team is on the upswing."

"We're pretty young, but they have been growing over the past few weeks."

Cowitch will look to seniors Mike Burkhardt and Kyle Sommers, who will be the team anchors.

"Both of them have been solid players for us over the years," stated Cowitch. "They have gotten more and more playing time. They have been leaders for us and we will be counting on them to carry us through the season."

Others expected to play a prominent role will be sophomore Joey Maamari, who will be the team's setter this season, and fellow sophomore Logan McGinley, who will be an outside hitter.

Juniors Jacob Bird and Myles Thomas also have both looked well, and should be major contributors throughout the season.

Cowitch believes his team will have an advantage in their overall preparation as most of this team played offseason volleyball with the Velocity club team, coached by Freedom head coach John Yanek.

"Most of them came in last year ready to go," said Cowitch. "That should again help us this year. Thirteen of them played club volleyball and it should make a difference. It can make a huge difference. We can see the changes in practice, and that should carry over into the season."

The Zephyrs opened the season at Neshaminy Monday and Northampton Thursday before they will have their first home match next Tuesday.

Last season, Whitehall finished with an overall 12-9 mark and ended its season with a loss to Easton in district play.

"We'll be ready," added Cowitch. "We believe we have the experience to have a long season."