Freedom missed the postseason last year on the volleyball court, but the Patriots hope that trend doesn’t continue this spring.

The Pates are led by veteran coach John Yanek and finished last season 8-10, a game shy of qualifying for districts.

The team returns Mike Quigley (Sr.) MB, Wil Cacciatore (Jr.) OH, Jonah Harding (Sr.) MB and Vince Straka (Jr.) S back into the fold, while Brad Turocy (Fr.) OH will look to get valuable time as a freshman on the court.

Yanek has always looked for progress throughout the season, but senses things might be more difficult this time around.

“It will be difficult with only 15 players on team, and seven returning players on varsity,” Yanek said. “I think our biggest strengths right now are our defense and team unity, but we have to get better at setting and serve-receive.”

The Pates started their season off on the wrong foot in last week’s league opener to Easton, falling in three games.

Freedom went on to sweep Bethlehem Catholic last week, but fell to Christopher Dock over the weekend in a three-game sweep.

The Pates headed into this week’s slate with games against Liberty on Tuesday and Southern Lehigh on Thursday, as they try to keep themselves from an early season hole.

Still, Yanek thinks this group can put it together with more reps and experience throughout the year.

“Things might be slow at first, but I think we’ll progress nicely to a big improvement,” he said. “Our goals this year are to make districts and beat Liberty.”