John Yanek can’t get enough of coaching volleyball and this year’s Freedom team might be one everyone can get excited about.

Yanek enters his 28th season at the helm of the program and is coming off an 11-10 campaign from a year ago, but has high hopes for this year’s team coming into the spring.

“Almost all the boys played off season for Velocity,” said Yanek. “In our two scrimmages, we looked good. We have high hopes to finish in the top six in the district.”

Back for the Pates are Mike Marakovits (Jr), Brad Turocy (Jr), David Barnes (So) and Jared Franges (Jr).

New players include Thales Maciel (So), Sabastian Ramirez (So) and Zach Shay (Jr).

The Pates opened the season last Friday against Northampton, pulling out a win over the Kids in five games.

Yanek expects Turocy, Barnes and Marakovits to anchor this year’s team.

“We have a great attitude and want to work hard,” said Yanek. “The boys get along and want to achieve. They are very focused. We want to compete for a spot in the EPC playoffs and hopefully a run to the district quarters or semifinals. We need to serve receive well and do better on our out of system plays.”