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Second-year Hesston College volleyball coach Jessica Cleveland has eight freshman and four sophomores at her disposal as the Larks look to continue the improvement the program experienced in 2011. 

Second-team all-region outside hitter Mollie Nebel, Hesston, Kan., and Libero Marissa Schuett, Wichita, Kan., both sophomores, will be counted on to provide leadership this fall. Freshmen middle hitter Lacey Crenshaw, Baytown, Texas, outside hitter Theresa Shideler, Wichita, Kan., and setter Maggie Lasater, Bentonville, Ark., are newcomers Cleveland identified as impact players.

“My freshmen are a well-rounded group,” Cleveland said. “There’s more talent and versatility than we’ve had in the past, which, as a coach, is a great thing to have.”

“We’re looking forward to another challenging schedule,” Cleveland added. “As a coach, I’m always excited to play the top teams, and this year we’ll battle the defending national champion Cowley College (Arkansas City, Kan.) on September 26. It’s fun to watch the team react to national-level teams.”

Hesston Volleyball opens the season at the Lamar (Colo.) CC tournament, Aug. 24-25, with the Larks playing four matches, starting with a 9:30 a.m. Friday match against Pratt (Kan.) CC. The home opener is an August 29 match against Kansas City Kansas CC, beginning at 6:30 p.m.