Members of the 2016 Valmeyer High School volleyball team are, from left, front row, Gwen Panzau, Kendra Goldschmidt, Sara Andres, Jordyn Killy, Jessie Seidel and Jacey Megan; and back row: Caitlin Crossin, Sam Seidel, Kenzi Rowe-Brown, Cierra Goldschmidt, Savannah Williams, Blair Brady and Guin Kohnz.

The Valmeyer High School volleyball team returns most of its starting lineup this season from a 2015 squad that finished 25-12 and just one win away from making the Class 1A state tournament.

The Pirates lost two seniors to graduation — both of whom had limited playing time — so the 2016 squad is essentially the same as last year.

Valmeyer will be anchored by a trio of senior co-captains: middle hitter Jordyn Killy (221 kills, 183 service points, 43 aces and 43 blocks in 2015), setter Blair Brady (326 assists, 169 service points and 38 aces), and outside hitter Savannah Williams (46 aces, 160 service points).

Valmeyer head coach Jenny Kohnz said Williams is a crucial part of the team’s defense.

All three seniors are four-year varsity starters, so we have a lot of leadership on the court,” Kohnz said.

Also returning for the Pirates are juniors Cierra Goldschmiddt and Sam Seidel. Goldschmidt, a libero, recorded 308 digs last season. Seidel, an outside hitter, recorded 169 service points, 154 kills and 49 aces last season.

“Sam had shoulder surgery in the offseason, but she should be ready by September,” Kohnz said.

Another returning player is sophomore setter and right side hitter Guin Kohnz.

“I also look for sophomores Sara Andres and Kenzi Rowe-Brown to help us out at the net this year, too,” Jenny Kohnz said.

The coach said this year’s squad lacks some height, but can hopefully make up for that with an abundance of talent on defense.

The sting of last season’s supersectional loss has motivated the Pirates for even greater success in 2016.

“We have been working hard this offseason to get physically ready,” Kohnz said. “After losing in the supersectional last year, our team is mentally focused on getting right back there.

“These girls have put in the time and work that I hope will push us past where we left off last year.”

The Pirates open their season at home this Friday against Valley Park before battling such large schools as Waterloo, Marion and Centralia in the Carbondale tournament on Labor Day weekend.