HCHS volleyball practices underway

 HARLAN -- The Harlan Community volleyball team began practicing for the 2018 season Monday morning (Aug. 6) as it looks to build on last year’s 23-13 match record.
 Second-year head coach Willie Baughman expects to start the season with a roster of approximately 35 players in grades 9-12. The Cyclones return five varsity letter winners from a squad that placed fifth in the Hawkeye Ten Conference (6-4) and lost a five-setter at Sergeant Bluff-Luton in the Class 4A regional semifinals.
 Senior Olivia Petersen, an honorable mention all-conference selection last fall, led the 2017 Cyclones with a .395 kill efficiency and 77 blocks while also totaling 218 kills and serving 94.1 percent.
 Senior Kara Weis returns at setter after posting a team-high 517 assists last year and making 163 digs. Sophomore Macie Leinen had 69 blocks and 86 kills.