The 2018 Parkland girls volleyball team brought home its fifth consecutive District 11 championship last season. With nine seniors having graduated, seven of whom are continuing to play collegiately, 16th-year head coach Mike Krause will have a whole lot of new faces with little varsity experience to work toward achieving that sixth straight title.

But the goals and expectations for a program with so much recent success, does not change.

“I hope we can develop consistency with our offense and our block,” Krause said. “If we are, we will be a competitive group. We hope to make leagues and districts with the intention of continuing forward. The league is very strong with a lot of good teams.”

There is a handful of top returnees that either started or contributed in many sets last year, including sophomore Brynn Dreisbach (outside hitter), senior Amber Resendez (opposite), junior Leah Brunnabend (libero), junior Jackie Malitzki (setter), junior Emily Mohr (defensive specialist), and seniors Cat Farole (OH) and Lauren Ceh (middle hitter).

Krause is also excited about a core group of newcomers who should be major contributors to the varsity program this season. Those players are sophomores Sydney Esquires (MH) and Sydney Johnston (S/DS), and freshmen Elena Pursell (MH/Opp), Scarlett Jago (OH) and Audrey Boucher (DS).

“We will be stronger on our floor game,” said Krause. “We seem pretty solid on our defense and passing along with our serve. Our offense is a work in progress, and we are developing consistency with a more aggressive offense to use the athleticism of this group.

“This group has been very competitive at practice. The on-court chemistry is way ahead of schedule. If we can defend and pass, our offense will grow. I like the overall athleticism of this group. They have a strong desire to learn and are implementing tactical strategies very quickly.”

Parkland opens its 2019 campaign against two Eastern Pennsylvania Conference rivals, playing its season-opener at Central Catholic on Tuesday, September 3, followed by hosting Emmaus that Thursday.