The Emmaus field hockey team graduated six seniors who were all contributors last season, five of them as starters. But if any high school sports program can rebuild after losing nearly half its starting line up, it’s the Hornet field hockey team.

“There are nine seniors this year and they’re all vying to find a starting position,” said Emmaus head coach Sue Butz-Stavin. “Plus, we have three significant juniors returning. Right now everyone will be given an opportunity to be successful on the field.”

One of the six graduates was Annika Herbine, who led the team in scoring in each of the past two seasons and finished her high school career with 144 goals and 110 assists.

Junior Abby Burnett is expected to move into Herbine’s position as a combination center-mid/low forward this year. Returning senior Kyleigh Faust will maintain her spot as the team’s sweeper, while fellow returning senior Brooke Mancini is likely to be back in the right back position. Junior Jenna Villeneuve is expected to play a halfback position. Senior Morgan Suppes is also in the mix for a spot on the Hornet defense.

Another returning senior starter, Alexis Kociban, along with junior Ava Zefrass will “probably flip-flop” at high forward and right midfield positions this season, Butz-Stavin said.

Junior Rachel Herbine will be a third-year starter at the high forward position. Seniors Madeline Huffer and Abigail O’Donnell, along with returning junior Emily Buss are among several candidates to fill the other positions this season. O’Donnell returns after missing last season with an injury.

The Hornets graduated their goal keeper from last season in Bailey Teitz. Butz-Stavin had two players vying for the position as of the second week of practice in junior Madison Shelton and sophomore Emma Cari.

“I think we’re in good condition,” said Butz-Stavin. “I think our skills are starting to get honed. There’s a nice nucleus of younger players. Two-thirds of our team are sophomores and freshmen.”

Several Emmaus players have already committed to playing in field hockey in college. Faust plans to play at Liberty University. Villeneuve is headed to Cornell. Huffer is looking at Mercyhurst. Rachel Herbine plans to join her sister Annika at Iowa in two years.

Emmaus went undefeated and won its 32nd consecutive District 11 championship in 2020. The Hornets went on from that to earn their 13th state title in program history this season last season.

Butz-Stavin, the nation’s all-time leading high school coach in wins, heads into the season needing 13 more to reach 1,000 for her career.

It’s a good bet the Hornets will win more than 13 games this season and could win twice that many if they go deep into the state tournament.

While repeating as sate champions is never easy, the Hornets will look to do just that this season.

Emmaus opens the regular season on Sept. 4 when it travels to Pocono Mountain East. The Hornets’ home opener is Sept. 7 against Bethlehem Catholic.