Looking down at his roster at the beginning of this spring season, third-year Emmaus boys volleyball head coach Ken Dunkle saw a lot of familiar faces. The team returns experience despite losing five seniors to graduation after the 2016 season.

The Green Hornets ended last year 15-3 overall, falling in their last two games to Parkland in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference title game, and Liberty in the District 11 semifinals.

“We had a solid season last year with only one season loss to Parkland, and we also lost to them in EPC finals,” said Dunkle. “I think the guys looked past Liberty in districts and it caught them. We lost five seniors, an outside hitter, two right sides, and two defensive specialists. We still have a solid core of five starters returning.”

The five returning players with starting experience include middle hitters Carson Landis (senior) and Matt Swanson (junior), setter Cameron Parsons (junior), libero Brendan Dunkle (senior), and outside hitter James Haag (junior). Senior Jacob Rummfield also made a bunch of starts last year.

Senior outside hitter Noah Bacon (6-foot-4) was mentioned by Dunkle as a key newcomer that he sees making immediate contributions in front of the net.

“I think we have a solid and experienced starting core, most of which also play club together,” Dunkle said. “We will need our guys to be playing consistently at a high level to be successful this year. I think we should have a very solid season and I think we have a team that can go deep into the post season if I can get them playing consistently at the level I know they are capable of.”

The Green Hornets began the season last weekend. First they took down Pocono Mountain East in the regular season opener. Then Emmaus won the Easton Red Rover Invitational Tournament title last Saturday. The Hornets went undefeated on the day, taking down Easton, Northampton, Quakertown, North Pocono and Bethlehem Catholic.

The Green Hornets returned to EPC play this week with games against Northampton (Tuesday) and at Freedom (Thursday). They will play in the Bobcat Invitational Tournament at Northeastern High School Saturday. Opponents include State College, Erie McDowell, Red Lion and Cumberland Valley.