While the seniors will lead on and off the court, a large group of juniors will also fill in roles for the class 4A #9 Knoxville Volleyball Squad. Many of those juniors got significant playing time as sophomores and a few even as freshmen two years ago. Coach Mollie Keitges tells KNIA/KRLS Sports the juniors it feels like they have been around almost as long as the seniors.

Keitges: “Sometimes I get confused and think they’re seniors because they’ve been around for so long. But Hannah Dunkin, and Rylyn McCarty are going to be counted on a lot this year, Peyton Horn has got better over the offseason, and the Cox Twins just give us such a spark when they’re in there.”

One of the juniors, Payton Horn had six blocks in the Oskaloosa Quad on Monday. Hannah Dunkin missed just two serves on Monday night and put down four aces in the quad. Knoxville will have until Tuesday off when the Panthers play their home and South Central Conference opener against Albia.