Weatherly’s fall teams will feature a blend of experience and youth this season, with several programs looking to build a foundation for continued growth.

The Wreckers’ volleyball program welcomes back head coach Nicole Selert after more than a decade away, while the cross country teams feature a returning state qualifier and an influx of promising young runners. On the soccer field, Weatherly’s boys and girls will look to develop new contributors while continuing to build their respective programs.

VOLLEYBALL

Head coach: Nicole Selert (fifth season; first since 2012)

Assistants: Annette Puzzetti; Bob Selert, volunteer assistant

League: Schuylkill League

Key losses: Kelly Reiner, Abigail Weston, Abigail Binder

Key returnees: Krisna Lucero (Sr.), Mya Binder (Jr.), Jillian Esposito (So.)

Top newcomers: Hailey Rosado (Sr.), Mikayla Kuntz (Fr.), Elsie Gower (Fr.), Liliah Gower (Fr.)

Season outlook: Selert returns to lead the Wreckers after previously coaching the program from 2009-12, bringing a focus on development and steady improvement throughout the season. Weatherly has a mix of returning players and newcomers who will look to grow together as the year progresses. With Lucero, Binder and Esposito providing returning experience and several new faces joining the program, the Wreckers hope to establish a foundation that can lead to continued growth this season and beyond.

Quotable: “We’re not chasing perfection. We’re chasing progress. Every practice, every rep, every mistake and every challenge is an opportunity to become better than we were yesterday. I don’t expect you to be perfect. I expect you to work, compete, trust each other and never be satisfied with staying the same. This season, we’re not just building better volleyball players. We’re building a better team, a better program and a standard that lasts long after the final whistle.” — Nicole Selert

CROSS COUNTRY

Head coach: Ryan Kately (seventh season)

Assistant coaches: Brandon Pugh, Rebekah Jones

Key returnees: Boys — Khrystian Rivera (Sr.), Alex Best (Jr.), Rex Bellizia (So.); Girls — Lexi Kehler (So.)

Top newcomers: Boys — Stephen Delman (Fr.), Ryley Jacoby (Fr.), Tyler Nelson (Fr.), Evan Janiec (Fr.); Girls — Mikayla Pugh (Fr.), Mikayla Kuntz (Fr.), Emma Moyer (Fr.), Maci Kane (So.)

Season outlook: Weatherly’s boys feature a mix of returning experience and young talent making the move from the junior high level. Best provides a proven presence after qualifying for the PIAA Championships last season, while Rivera enters his senior year after working throughout the summer and showing significant improvement. Bellizia also returns, while Delman, Jacoby, Nelson and Janiec give the Wreckers a promising freshman group. How quickly the newcomers adjust to varsity competition will be important as Weatherly looks to develop its lineup throughout the season.

The girls will have a much different look after Kehler competed as Weatherly’s lone varsity runner a year ago. She now has a young group around her that enjoyed success at the junior high level. Kately expects Pugh, Kehler, Kuntz and Moyer to push for medals at the district meet and potentially contend for spots at the state meet. Kane, who also plays soccer, gives the Wreckers another option after a strong junior high career. With plenty of youth in the lineup, Weatherly hopes the group can make strides throughout the season while establishing a foundation for the future.

Quotable: “Our goal is to be competitive in our division and grow as a team throughout the year.” — Ryan Kately

GIRLS SOCCER

Head coach: Paul Eckert

League: Schuylkill League

Key losses: Grace, McKenna, Jasmine, Kayla, Laurel, Keira, Kelly-Anne

Key returnees: Not provided

Top newcomer: Aliyah Micheals

Season outlook: Weatherly will have opportunities for new players to take on larger roles following the graduation of seven seniors from last year’s team. With a different-looking group taking the field, Eckert wants the Wreckers to establish themselves through their effort, determination and willingness to compete. His message is for Weatherly to “play with heart and try till we can’t” as the team works to develop throughout the season. Micheals is among the newcomers who will have an opportunity to contribute as the Wreckers look to grow together and make progress as a group.

Quotable: “Practice like we don’t have subs.” — Paul Eckert

BOYS SOCCER Head coach: Kevin Kennedy (10th season)

Assistant coaches: Jeff Donadi, Jaiden Evangelista

League: Schuylkill League

Key loss: Corbin Wagner

Key returnee: Jeremiah Donadi (central attacking midfielder)

Top newcomer: Mason Russell

Season outlook: Weatherly enters the season looking to continue building its program after earning two nonleague victories a year ago. The Wreckers will have to replace Wagner, who had been a consistent scoring threat, while Donadi returns in the central attacking midfield and should provide experience in the middle of the field. Russell, a longtime Weatherly and Hazleton youth player, is among the newcomers joining the program. Kennedy acknowledges that improving upon last season’s record will be a challenge, but sees the Wreckers’ purpose extending beyond wins and losses. Weatherly hopes to continue generating momentum for soccer throughout the area and provide opportunities for players to make a positive impact on the field, in school and throughout the community.

Quotable: “My tagline is, ‘Who’s hungry?!’ It’s indicative of how our community — youth, high school and adults — is always looking for ways to feast on the opportunity to make a positive impact at games, in school and in our neighborhood.” — Kevin Kennedy