photo by: Nick Krug

Bishop Seabury Academy senior, fall sports athletes from left: Jack Edmonds, cross country, Vivian Aubel, volleyball, Austin Gaumer, soccer, and Gretchen Ohlmacher, cross country.

After some strong seasons last year, Bishop Seabury Academy’s fall sports programs are confident they can take the next step during the upcoming year.

Each team will begin its season in the next week. Here is a look at what all of Seabury’s teams expect out of the upcoming season:

Volleyball

Expectations remain high around Seabury’s volleyball program after one of the best seasons in school history.

In the preseason coaches poll, the Seahawks were ranked No. 10 in Class 2A. They bring back senior middle hitter Vivian Aubel, senior libero Celia Taylor-Puckett and sophomore outside hitter Lindsey Hornberger. Last year, Hornberger led the Seahawks with 344 digs and ranked second on the squad with 262 kills.

First-year coach Danielle Geronymo said the team is “making progress” after the start of practices. Seabury posted a 24-15 record last year, breaking several school records.

Along with the returners, the Seahawks are hoping to receive a boost from Sophia Ostlund, Maia Tilly, Gabriella Aubel, Britain Hamm, Sabrina Eicher and Elizabeth Scarbrough.

“Seabury volleyball 2016 is a team of unity and hard work,” Geronymo said.

The Seahawks will start the season against Atchison at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Seabury.

Boys soccer

Seabury’s boys soccer team will no longer have the element of surprise.

In the program’s first season — after a seven-year absence — the Seahawks finished with a 5-4 record, including a postseason victory.

Now, second-year coach Ivo Ivanov believes his team can make a big leap forward, led by returning forwards Chris Cho and Amir Shami, midfielders Austin Gaumer and Thomas DiZerega, defenders Tommy Warden and Alfonso Martello, and goalkeeper Hank Mitchell.

“We are returning the core players from last year’s successful first season,” Ivanov said. “Hank Mitchell has made a lot of progress on goal from last year. The team has practiced with a lot of intensity and self-motivation. The newcomers bring club experience and will be able to contribute immediately.”

Some of those newcomers expected to contribute are Freddy Comparato, Oliver Frankenfeld, Max Easter and Sam Bayliss.

The Seahawks will begin the season on the road against Heritage Christian at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

“As complete unknowns, we were able to sneak up on some teams last year,” Ivanov said. “This will not happen again. The element of surprise evaporated last year as we compiled a winning season and won against bigger 4A teams. Our schedule is loaded this year.”

Cross country

Seabury’s boys and girls cross country teams are looking to send runners to the state meet and they are optimistic they will have a few this season.

The Seahawks will be led by returning seniors, Jack Edmonds on the boys team and Gretchen Ohlmacher for the girls, both four-year varsity runners.

“(She) has a new fire under her to sweep up some medals this year,” third-year coach Kara Schrader said of Ohlmacher.

Schrader is hopeful to see a big season from freshman Henry Nelson, who has shown strong potential throughout the summer.

The Seahawks will compete in the Hayden Invitational at 9 a.m. on Sept. 3.