Bishop Seabury fall sports athletes, from left, Thomas DiZerega (soccer), Faith Hedges (golf), Sami Dennon (cross country), Henry Nelson (cross country) and Maia Tilly (volleyball).

In some of Bishop Seabury’s sports programs, rebuilding projects are going on. In another program, an athlete is looking to defend her state title. But one constant between Bishop Seabury’s fall sports programs is optimism at the beginning of the year.

Here is a look at what all of Seabury’s programs expect out of the upcoming season:

Boys soccer

After graduating a large group of seniors, Bishop Seabury’s boys soccer team will rebuild for the future but hopes to surprise some opponents.

The Seahawks will lean on their returning midfielders Freddie Comparato, Thomas DiZerega and Seth Thompson-Glodich, and defenders Tommy Warden and Sam Bayliss.

Among the newcomers entering the varsity lineup is a strong freshmen class with defender Harrison Hartzier, forward Evan McHenry, midfielder Brayden Shumaker and defender Peter Westbrook, among others.

“Every single match will be a challenge for our young team as we find our chemistry while adjusting to new formations and field positions,” coach Ivo Ivanov said. “Overall, we are optimistic and excited about 2017.”

Along with the returners, Ivanov is excited about the offseason progress from brothers Lee and Chris Nelson, sophomore Aiden Atwood-Blaine and goalkeeper James Jo.

“We have speed in the wings in Tommy Warden and Thomas diZerega, which they can use to separate from defenders and open up passing lanes for their teammates,” Ivanov said. “Freddie Comparato, who was the newcomer of the year last season, has grown in both size and skill and is expected to direct the entire team from the center midfield position.”

The Seahawks will open their season on the road against Eudora at 6 p.m. Friday.

Cross country

With several young runners competing at the varsity level last season, Seabury’s cross country teams believe they will continue to make progress in the right direction.

Seabury’s boys team will be highlighted by sophomore Henry Nelson, who placed 10th at the Class 2A state meet last season.

For the girls, sophomores Sami Dennon and Sabrina Eicher have shown plenty of promise during the team’s early practices.

“We have some stars who worked hard over the summer, but we need the rest of the team to work really hard so that we can be competitive as a team,” fourth-year coach Kara Schrader said.

The Seahawks will run in the Hayden Invitational on Sept. 2.

Girls golf

Bishop Seabury’s girls golf program only has one player: sophomore Faith Hedges, who won a Class 3-2-1A state title last season.

Hedges only competed in two tournaments last season, regionals and state, and won both of them.

“We hope to grow the team in future years to have four to six girls golfers so that we can have a full team and a regular girls golf season,” said Seabury coach Bryan Hedges, Faith’s father.

Bryan Hedges cautioned that Faith will face tough competition as she attempts to defend her title.

Faith will likely begin practicing in the weeks leading up to her regional on Oct. 10 and attempt to qualify for state again as an individual qualifier.

“Without having a regular season of team high school golf to warm up for regionals and state, Faith plans to practice at area courses around Lawrence with her brother and other friends to try to be ready for the postseason,” Bryan Hedges said.

Volleyball

After going through a rebuilding season, Seabury’s volleyball players are hopeful they will make some strides in the upcoming months.

Under first-year coach Brian Rios, the Seahawks bring back a few varsity returners, including seniors Maia Tilly and Elizabeth Scarbrough and juniors Lindsey Hornberger and Sophia Ostlund.

“The biggest challenge right now is the fact that we have a young team,” Rios said. “They are working very hard every day in practice to get better.”

Seabury will start its season on the road against Atchison at 6 p.m. Tuesday.