Members of the 2016 Gibault Catholic High School volleyball team are, from left, front row, Haley Davitz, Kelly Dooley, Rachel Lindauer, Kayla Huels and Mary Wessel; and back row: Hillary Wessel, Bailey Lehman, Caralyn Papenberg, Molly Branz, Ashlyn Wightman and Lexi Chambers.

The Gibault Catholic High School volleyball team lost several key players from last year’s squad that finished 25-12 but just couldn’t meet high expectations.

The Hawks lost to Trico in the Class 2A regional title game after having won a sectional championship the year before.

Still, Gibault head coach Heather Ebert is optimistic about her 2016 squad.

“I expect this year’s team to do better in the postseason,” she said. “Last year, we let high expectations get the best of us.”

In fact, Ebert says her teams always seem to perform better when they are least expected to.

Ebert is 124-61 in five season as head coach of the Hawks, including a fourth-place state finish in 2011.

Six seniors will lead this year’s squad, headed by outside hitter Kelly Dooley. She registered 267 kills, 283 digs, 211 service points and 33 aces during an outstanding all-around junior campaign.

“She’s been playing varsity since her freshman year,” Ebert said. “I’m excited to see Kelly shine during her senior season.”

Joining Dooley at outside hitter is Bailey Lehmann, who recorded 186 service points and 32 aces last season.

Another senior is 6-foot-tall right side hitter Molly Branz.

Hillary Wessel will play setter, and Rachel Lindauer will serve as the team’s defensive specialist.

Rounding out the senior group for the Hawks is Caralyn Papenberg, who registered 49 kills and 33 blocks last season.

“Many of these girls were on varsity last year but didn’t play as much. So they still have experience,” Ebert said. “I know they are ready to show everyone what they are made of.”

Other team members expected to contribute this season include Lexi Chambers, Haley Davitz, Kayla Huels, Mary Wessel and Ashlyn Wightman.

“We have some pretty good freshmen that will see some time,” Ebert said.

Many of the girls on this year’s team have played extensively together at the club level and are familiar with Ebert’s system here at Gibault.

“They all gel really well together,” Ebert said.

The Hawks opened their season Tuesday night at home against Red Bud and will host Wesclin on Thursday.

Gibault’s regular season schedule is tough, including matches against rival Catholic schools Althoff and Mater Dei in addition to larger schools such as Waterloo, O’Fallon and Freeburg.

“We’re ready to go,” Ebert said.