In seventh grade, Mike Burkhardt decided to try out for the boys' volleyball team after he enjoyed playing the sport in gym class.

Now, five years later, Burkhardt is a co-captain of the Zephyrs' team.

It has been a transformation that has resulted in Burkhardt continuing his volleyball career next spring in college.

In the meantime, Burkhardt plans to do his part to help his team once again become a force in the East Penn Conference.

"We have been working very hard since the offseason," said Burkhardt. "There were a number of us who played together, and you can see the results on the court. We all have been playing together better and we are developing a chemistry out there.

"At this point of the season, we're pretty good. But we all have the ability to get better."

Head coach George Cowitch believes Burkhardt will have a solid season. The Zephyrs won their first two matches, but then they dropped their next two.

"Mike (Burkhardt) is a great kid and a great volleyball player," said Cowitch. "He started slowly this season, but I feel that after the Parkland match, he is his old self again.

"He works hard, and as a captain, he is demanding the same qualities from the younger guys. Mike is a good guy to have around and keep the team together."

Along with playing volleyball since seventh grade, Burkhardt was a member of the Zephyrs' football team from seventh through 10th grade. However, he decided to focus his attention on volleyball.

"I thought I would try volleyball and I really enjoyed it," said Burkhardt. "The biggest challenge for me was playing defense. But I have worked hard at it, and I feel pretty confident with everything right now."

Along with volleyball, Burkhardt is active with the school's film club, and he is also an Eagle Scout, a profession he had enjoyed since his youth. His father, Pete Sr. and older brothers Pete Jr. and Tim were also active in football. In the future, Burkhardt will attend Adrian College, a Division III college in Michigan to continue his volleyball career.

"They saw a recruiting film on me and they reached out," said Burkhardt of his college choice where he will study athletic training. "But I want us to go far this season. We have been playing well and we have the potential to have a good season."