Volleyball Team Starts Strong, Despite Changes
The Central Penn Lady Knights volleyball team expected to be a tough team within the USCAA in 2015 after a good recruitment of talented freshman. But after the sudden resignation of Coach Jason Barshinger one week before the season's start, there were some doubts that the team would be as strong with a coaching change. The Lady Knights proved the naysayers wrong by rattling off three wins to open the season under the guidance of Interim Coach Elise Sykola and currently have posted a record of 8-5.
The Lady Knights attack is being led by outside hitters, sophomore Tytianna Mobley and freshman Lauree Wiegand, and freshman setter Morgan Brubaker. Wiegand and Mobley lead the team in kills per set with Brubaker leading the way with over five assists per set. Brubaker is currently ranked 26th in assists per set, while Wiegand ranks 13th in kills per set and 9th in serve aces per set. Senior Bachelle Upshur gives the team a third option for attacks and is ranked second on the team for kill percentage.
Defensively, the team relies on the versatility of sophomore Alexa Christman and junior Janay Nelson, as well as the blocking of Mobley, who leads the team with 16 blocks. Christman leads the team in digs while playing multiple positions on the team such as libero or outside hitter.
The Lady Knights go into the fall term with yet another change as Roann Leatz takes the reign as the new head coach of the program. Leatz brings more than a decade of coaching experience at a variety of different levels. The combination of Coach Sykola's early season work and Leatz's experience and knowledge of the game will only help push the team closer to a possible tournament berth. If the team expects to receive a tournament berth, this week could be a determining factor as the Lady Knights play four games in three days.
Keep up with the latest news and highlights of the Lady Knights volleyball season on www.centralpennknights.com or follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GoCPCKnights. Be sure to come out and support the team on October 11, as the Lady Knights return for a home match against Penn State York at 3 p.m. in the East Pennsboro gymnasium.