With a strong returning group of upperclassmen, the Whitehall boys volleyball team should once again challenge for league and district titles.

As they prep for the upcoming season, seniors Joe Herman, Alex Khouri, Rick Melosky, Aziz Atiyeh and Ian Frankenfield will serve as the backbone of this year’s squad. That experience will be further enhanced with the return of juniors Dylan McGinley, Alex Haydar and Alex Rummel, as well as sophomore Hunter Pinkey. That cast of returning varsity players will give the Zephyrs a solid foundation on which to make another run at a district title.

They fell short the last two seasons, succumbing to Emmaus both times in the finals of the District 11 3A playoffs. They finished the season 19-5 and also made an appearance in the league finals against Emmaus.

Head coach George Cowitch said that after their season ended in the opening round of the PIAA playoffs, most teams may have experienced a step back, but they’re building upon what they accomplished and that spells trouble for the rest of the league.

“I think we’re ahead of where we were last season,” said Cowitch. “For us, that’s something different.”

He said that while summer basketball may have affected club volleyball participation in the offseason, their roster has plenty of good athletes that can compensate for that absence. And that athleticism combined with experience is a potent combination for this year’s team.

“The guys who are coming back have so much experience on the court,” said Cowitch.

He said that it really makes a difference when you have players who have competed in a lot of matches and have high volleyball IQs, and that’s something this year’s team brings to the table.

“We have that,” said Cowitch.

Sure, they’ll need to refine some things and address others, but having a roster of experienced players allows them to hit the ground running.

This year’s team is also familiar with their roles, whether it’s as the team’s setter where Melosky has a year under his belt in that position, or in the frontcourt where Khouri, Herman and McGinley will stalk the net looking for kills and blocks.

“They know what they need to do,” said Cowitch.

Cowitch said that their frontcourt will see a change with McGinley moving to outside hitter. It’s a different position for the junior, but his length and athleticism makes it a good opportunity to impact the game from that spot. Cowitch said that Herman, who wound up being named to the all-state team, is about 400 kills away from 1,000, and could conceivably reach that milestone this season. He’s led the team in kills a number of times throughout his career and this year he should once again wreak havoc on opposing teams from the frontcourt.

“He’s so good, such a good leader,” said Cowitch.

Khoury returns to the middle this season. He’s been one of the top middle hitters in the league and will be joined this season by Pinkey who made a big splash last season as a freshman.

“He looks really good right now as a sophomore so I’m excited about that,” said Cowitch.

Frankenfield will be an opposite side hitter, another senior who gives them a ton of experience around the net. Cowitch said that he’s another player who’s adapted well to change, switching from outside hitter where he was last year.

Atiyeh will once again be the team’s libero. Atiyeh is a three-year starter, two of them as the libero.

“He’s our general on the backcourt,” said Cowitch.

Cowitch said that having Atiyeh and Herman on the floor is like having two coaches out there, an indispensable commodity when playing in the EPC.

“When you have that, it makes life a lot easier,” said Cowitch.

Melosky is in his second season as the setter, and Cowitch said that he’s looking really good in that role. Even without the benefit of club ball, Cowitch said that Melosky is finding his groove.

“When you have a good setter, you just make your hitters look good,” said Cowitch.

Haydar returns as a defensive specialist, while Rummel, who fought through injuries last season, is being plugged in a number of places, said Cowitch.

Cowitch understands that with the number of returning players they have, expectations grow. But will that translate to wins?

“You expect to be really good, a year older, but it doesn’t guarantee we’re going to be a year better,” said Cowitch.

He’s stressed that to his players, noting that its’ all about getting better. He said you can’t get caught up looking ahead.

“We’re worried about what we’re doing in this gym,” said Cowitch.

The Zephyrs will also feature some newcomers, including sophomores Connor Fenstermaker, Matthew Lisicky, Nicholas Rex and Anthony Sabbagh. They’ll also feature freshman Torrey Tyson among those newcomers who hope to make an impact.

Cowitch, who has amassed 160 wins over his career, prefers to call them program wins. Still, he’s shaped the Whitehall program into perennial title contenders and this year should be no different. He said that this year’s seniors will have been part of best four years in terms of wins in the program’s history and they’re proud of that.

The season opens this Friday with a home game versus Bethlehem Catholic.