Some key performers may have graduated from last year’s Region 24 champion John A. Logan College volleyball team such as Nicole Search, Kaylee Newcomb, Courtney Bast and Jaclyn Rodriguez, but there is more than enough returning talent to keep the Volunteers in contention this fall for Great Rivers Athletic Conference and region titles.

Second-year head coach Bill Burnside welcomes back eight sophomores, including: Bridgette Nenninger, a 5-foot-10 rightside hitter from Cape Girardeau; Krystin Wahlig, a 5-foot-8 setter from Freeburg; Olivia Russell, a 5-foot-4 setter and defensive specialist from Crystal City, Mo.; Kylee Inman, a 5-foot-11 middle hitter from Valmeyer; Ariele Gooch, a 5-foot-9 outside hitter from Carbondale; Jenny Manis, a 5-foot-5 defensive specialist from Murphysboro; Jada Hollinshead, a 5-foot-10 middle hitter from Farina; and Holly Schweigert, a 5-foot-11 middle hitter from Festus, Mo.

Schweigert sustained a knee injury last spring that required surgery and is not expected to return to action this fall. She can be redshirted, however, and maintain a year’s eligibility with Logan next fall. Hollinshead is one year removed from knee surgery.

“It’s a blow to lose Holly, but the surgery seemed to go well and we are expecting her to make a fully recovery and help provide leadership for us next year,” Burnside said.

Six freshmen have been added to the mix and all will compete for playing time this fall, according to Burnside. They include: Allison Krips, a 5-foot-9 outside hitter from Dexter, Mich.; Taylor Glueck, a 5-foot-7 defensive specialist from Jackson, Mo.; Julie Huelsmann, a 5-foot-10 outside hitter from Breese; Mary Jo Bushur, a 5-foot-8 rightside hitter from Effingham; Michelle Lazorchak, a 6-foot middle hitter from Marion; and Jasmine Garnett, a 6-foot-2 middle hitter from Marion.

“Athletically, I think we can be very competitive,” Burnside said. “As for our success this fall, a lot will depend on how long it takes for our freshmen to develop.”

Burnside said last year’s team jelled about midseason and the Vols reeled off 13 consecutive match victories en route to a 24-12 overall record, second-place finish behind league champ, Lake Land, and first-place finish in the Region 24 meet, knocking off the favored Lakers.

Burnside said he is excited about his second year as head coach.

“I’m just now getting to the point where I feel like I am making the program my own,” he said. “This freshman class, for example, is totally my recruiting class. There is always pressure to win, but it’s pressure I place on myself. I want to see our program improve and I am confident that it will. Our goal is to reach the final round of the district tournament and to be ranked among the top 25 Division I NJCAA schools.”

The Vols have qualified for nationals twice, but that was as a Division II participant.

The Logan spikers open the schedule Wednesday with a 7 p.m. home match with the McKendree University junior varsity squad. The Vols will also play in Springfield next Friday and Saturday in the Lincoln Land Invitational. Conference play begins Sept. 8 at Mattoon against Lake Land.

Returning as Burnside’s assistant coach is Veronica Whittington, former Logan player.