For the Mankato East volleyball team, and new first-year coach Kari Rodman chemistry appears to be the least of their worries.

Eleven seniors make up this year’s squad, and most of them already have varsity experience.

“Last year some of us got split up between varsity and junior varsity so we weren’t all together,” said senior outside hitter Jenny Pruett. “But most of us have been playing together since sixth grade.”

Rodman, a former Minnesota State volleyball player who is replacing Bob Gospeter, said she is expecting a big year from Pruett and has been working with her on new arm swings, which she has adapted to well already.

“She is one of our toughest players,” Rodman said. “She’s mentally tough, physically tough and a very flexible player.”

Joining Pruett on the outside will be seniors Lyndsy Gilbertson and Mariah Verkinderen.

“We have a core starting group of six seniors, one sophomore and some juniors,” Rodman said. “And we’re fully relying on (the sophomore, Hallie Enderle) for middle attack.”

Enderle started last season as a freshman and will have an even bigger role this season.

Joining Enderle as a middle hitter will be junior Laura Stromberg and senior Therese Olinger. Senior Haley Nourie will be the setter and senior Karynn Sebesta will be the libero.

“This team has a lot of experience and the defense is definitely going to be something we are looking for,” Rodman said. “They’re always going for the ball.”

Because of such great team chemistry, Pruett says it’s easier to let a teammate know when they need encouragement.

“You know each other and how each other work so we all have each other’s backs,” she said. “That makes a big difference when you’re on the court.”

Though the team lacks ideal height, Rodman says they still should be a good attacking team.

Anything else can be made up in experience, depth and work ethic.

So far in practice, any misplay has resulted in team push-ups. Some days have ended with a lot of sore arms.