Head Coach Erin Freeman is ready to see what her team is capable of in real game situations. After a week of intense practices she is ready to see how they compare to the area competition. The Panthers open up the 2015 season at the Central Kansas Volleyball Invitational taking place at Bethel College and Sterling College.

Freeman is in her first year as head coach as she leads a young Panther squad. With only two seniors on the roster York looks to lean on younger talent to help them improve upon last year's ten wins. Nicole Gates (SR/Centennial, Colo) and Melanie Baxa (SR/Tobias, Neb) look to lead the team in their final season. Both have had prominent roles the last three years but know they must step up their leadership this season to make it the best. Gates earned 1st Team All-Conference last season as Baxa was named to the 2nd Team.

Newcomers Kelsey Taylor (FR/Moore, Okla) and Kylie Wroot (JR/North Platte, neb) are expected to make an immediate impact on the team. Freeman stated that the quickness of Taylor and the experience of Wroot, a junior college transfer, are key elements the team will lean on.

"With a lot of new faces this season we needed our returners to help bring the newbies on board and they have done a better job than I could have imagined," said coach Freeman. "The team has really connected off the court and I have seen the benefits that has brought onto the court. We definitely needed that cohesiveness and look to use that this weekend as we open up the season. I'm extremely proud of the hard work these girls have put in this past week and know it will pay off this season."

Their first game is scheduled for 2:30pm today against Oklahoma Wesleyan. All games will have live video produced by the host schools. You can check out our broadcast portal to access the games. http://portal.stretchinternet.com/yorkneb/