Returning this year are sophomores Stephanie Heim (Logan-Rogersville) and Nicole Mannino (Incarnate Word Academy). Heim is an outside hitter who also can play defense or set. Mannino can play a variety of different spots, including middle hitter.
Additionally, the Lady Falcons have two more players who aren't college rookies. Setter-hitter Julie Ohlms (Lutheran St. Charles) played at State Fair Community College in Sedalia before that school dropped its program in the offseason. Defensive specialist Kelsey Laymon (Washington) attended East Central as a student last year, but did not play volleyball. While she is a sophomore in school, she is a freshman in eligibility.
East Central has nine other freshmen in camp. They are Kara Bowman (St. Dominic), Kelli Sans Souci (Bourbon), Samantha Walch (Warrenton), Kory O'Laughlin (Winfield), Caitlin Rutledge (Eminence), Ashley Eggering (Winfield), Kasey Kirchhofer (Hermann), Aleisha Joyce (Carthage) and Natalie Davis (Lafayette).
Another player, Ashley Cooper (Owensville) decided to leave the team early in the first practice Saturday. Chronic back and neck injuries were cited in her decision to leave the team.
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The program practiced for the first time Saturday morning. A second gathering took place Saturday afternoon in Washington. Bruns and O'Day put the girls to work on a photo scavenger hunt through Downtown Washington. The girls were divided into four teams and given a list of items to find. They had to have their picture taken with each item, thus getting to know people in the community.
The girls were to stay within the boundaries of the Missouri River, Jefferson Street, Third Street and Cedar Street.
The team of Mannino, Davis and O'Laughlin won the challenge. Other teams were Heim, Eggering, Sans Souci and Walch; Laymon, Joyce and Rutledge; and Ohlms, Kirchhofer and Bowman.
The Lady Falcons returned for two-a-day training sessions Monday. They were joined by guests Erica LaBoube (Hermann), Megan Santhuff (Southern Reynolds County), Kari Blankenship (Owensville) and Jamie Baumstark (Hermann and Southeast Missouri State).
LaBoube and Santhuff are former Lady Falcons who are headed to Central Methodist University this fall. Both played on the NJCAA team last fall. LaBoube made the All-American second team list. Blankenship, an Academic All-American, also was a sophomore last season. She is going to continue her career at Maryville University.
Baumstark is restarting her career and will be headed to Switzerland to play for VBC Biel-Bienne this fall.
The Lady Falcons spent Monday afternoon's practice undergoing testing.
The Lady Falcons have two preseason jamborees. The first will be at Truman State University in Kirksville Aug. 15. East Central will play squads from Truman State, Missouri Science and Technology and Quincy University during that event.
Another preseason jamboree will be held Aug. 22 at St. Louis Community College-Meramec. East Central will play St. Louis College of Pharmacy, Harris-Stowe State University and a Lindenwood JV squad during that event.
