Lehighton’s fall sports teams will look to a mix of experienced returnees and promising newcomers as they prepare to navigate their Colonial League schedules this season.

The Indians feature established cores in volleyball, cross country and field hockey, while the soccer programs enter the season with plenty to build around.

VOLLEYBALL

Head coach: Marsha Thomas

League: Colonial League

Key losses: Autumn Clewell

Key returnees: Allison Solt, Sophia Serfass, Kailee Thomas, Julianna Lucykanish, Breanna Demage, Alexis Holben, Aleea Yeakel, Laney Kershner

Top newcomers: Ava Serfass, Bree Yeakel, Deliah Arndt, Delia Keiser

Season outlook: Lehighton hopes to build on last season with an experienced returning core, strong senior leadership and several promising newcomers. The Indians focused on developing individual skills and strength during the offseason and are now working to bring those pieces together as a team.

Quotable: “We have a strong core returning that put a lot of work in during the offseason. They’re a year stronger and their volleyball IQ continues to grow. Now it’s about bringing those individual strengths together, embracing everyone’s value to the team and seeing what we can accomplish as a group.”

CROSS COUNTRY

Head coach: Erica Pagotto

League: Colonial League

Key losses: Bekim Cokrlija, Elijah Pagotto, Sebestian Warner, Calli Peiffer

Key returnees: Coe Strausberger, Adam Danner, Asher Traylor, Ezra Berros, Gavin Kester, Derek Spitzer, Bella Moyer, Anna Hawk, Stella Leininger, Claudia Pagotto, Kennedy Quinn

Top newcomers: Joshua Cathers, Santiago Lopez, Kingsley Cruz, Azariah Berros, Joshua Buffington, Ivan Lowe, Haley Melber, Sara Bajramspahic, Maggie Bowman, Grace Cathers, Alyssa Gaumer, Liv Kistler, Quinn Shapiro

Season outlook: Lehighton expects to be competitive with several athletes who either qualified for states last season or came close. The Indians also have a strong team dynamic, with returnees welcoming newcomers into a supportive environment focused on individual improvement. The program held several joint practices with other teams during the summer, helping athletes build relationships beyond their own program.

Quotable: “We’ve got a fun, welcoming group with athletes who are hungry to get back to states. We’ll compete hard, but we also value the relationships we’re building with other teams. The athletes are putting in the hard work. My focus is keeping them healthy so they can reach their goals.”

FIELD HOCKEY

Head coach: Jen Lobasso

League: Colonial League

Key losses: Peyton Haussman, Mia Nothstein, Chloe Moyer

Key returnees: Jordan Haussman, Tori Neid, Lily Klotz, Lilyanna Shapiro, Mackenzie Pretko, Blayr Strawser, Alivia Reed, Amber Yeakel, Maize Hunsicker, Sophia Wise

Top newcomers: Addy Yenser, Quinn Lichtenwalner, Brynn Schleicher, Ally Hand, Kalyna DeDonato, Dakota Markley, Lexi Gelatko, Ashlyn Arace, Jordan Albert, Brooke Haldeman

Season outlook: Lehighton enters the season improved after working during the offseason to fine-tune its fundamentals and develop greater team chemistry. Lobasso believes the Indians have a determined, gritty group capable of making progress this season.

Quotable: “We have high expectations for this season, but are taking it one game at a time.”

BOYS SOCCER

Head coach: Mike Bridy

League: Colonial League

Key losses: Six senior contributors

Key returnees: Sawyer Hoffman (Sr., center midfield), Nolan Strauss (Sr., center back), Cove Schaeffer (Sr., center midfield), Michael Bridy (Sr., center midfield/forward), Kaeden Hernandez (Jr.), Chase Lobasso (Jr.), Jace White (Jr.), Wesley Tkach (So.), Chase Bokan (So.), Larkin Klotz (So.)

Season outlook: Lehighton will look to improve on last season despite having six senior contributors to replace. The Indians will lean on seniors Sawyer Hoffman, Nolan Strauss, Cove Schaeffer and Michael Bridy to provide leadership on both ends of the field.

Hoffman and Strauss are captains along with junior Chase Lobasso. Juniors Kaeden Hernandez and Jace White, along with sophomores Wesley Tkach, Chase Bokan and Larkin Klotz, are also among the key returnees.

“Progress, not perfection” has become a motto for the Indians, who have made strides technically and tactically since the summer. Bridy has seen encouraging signs during early scrimmages, and expects the team to continue developing confidence and cohesiveness as the season progresses.

The season marks Bridy’s first as a high school coach after spending the past 18 years coaching at the club and college levels. Anthony Rossino and Greg Swatt serve as assistants.

Quotable: “I see this team growing as a team and in confidence as the year progresses. The team culture and cohesiveness is at a very good place, and when teams are bonded you usually get the best product on the field.”

GIRLS SOCCER

Head coach: Carl Wolter

League: Colonial League

Key losses: Mylee Lutsko, Leah Uyvari, Avery Bauder

Key returnees: Taylor Moyer, Cassidy Litts, Laina Zimmerman, Claire Bridy

Season outlook: Lehighton will look to build on a successful 2025 season in which the Indians qualified for the Colonial League playoffs and advanced to the District 11 Class 4A semifinals.

While Lehighton enters this season with a small roster and must replace Mylee Lutsko, Leah Uyvari and Avery Bauder, the Indians return Taylor Moyer, Cassidy Litts, Laina Zimmerman and Claire Bridy from last year’s postseason team.

Wolter’s focus will be on getting the most out of his group each game, and continuing to develop as the season progresses.