Second-year coach Bryan Kehr, equipped with a deeper and more athletic roster, heads into the 2011 season optimistic the Larks will improve on last year’s 3-13-1 record. Kehr will count on nine returners and plenty of talented newcomers to lead the team.

Last year’s leading scorer Yolli Conner (Centennial, Colo.) returns as a starting forward, with freshman Mariah Martin (Glenwood Springs, Colo.) expected to make an immediate contribution at that position. Sophomore Lyn Ungang (Sioux Falls, S.D.) has shown tremendous improvement in the offseason and adds athleticism and speed to the offensive attack.

Sophomore Colby Troyer (Waterford,Pa.) will lead the midfield this fall and is joined by newcomers Chihiro Hikita (Hokuto, Japan) and Karli Graybill (Goshen, Ind.), a sophomore transfer who started 12 games for Bluffton (Ohio) University last fall and who may see time at left defender.

Hannah Bachman (Tiskilwa, Ill.) and Kendra Litwiller (Hopedale, Ill.) return as starting defenders with freshman Tori Wheeler (Wichita, Kan.) expected to join the mix on defense. Amber Mayer (Wichita, Kan.) returns as the starting goalkeeper.

Megan Schrock, a former standout Hesston player, returns in an assistant coaching role.  

“This team has shown good chemistry and is working well together,” Kehr said. “I’m excited about the improvement last year’s players have shown in their technical skill. It underlines the work that was put in during the off-season. We need to be a better possession ball club this year and many of our new players will help us in that regard. We have a lot of areas where we can improve, but I am excited about the growth the team is showing.”

The Larks kick off the 2011 season with an Aug. 24 home scrimmage against Sterling College JV at 5 p.m. The regular season gets underway with a home game against Pratt Community College on Friday, Aug. 26 at 5 p.m.