manheim central

A history-making season brought Manheim Central a state volleyball championship in 2025.

Now, as Coach Craig Dietrich begins a new season, he has a trophy to look back on – but only two key returnees to help him defend the Barons’ title.

But what a duo the returning players are – Section 2 second-team all-stars Blake Neiles and Caleb Groff, who were instrumental in last year’s championship.

A team’s record doesn’t always tell the whole story.

Because when you lose nine games by just one goal, it’s easy to feel like you’re better than your 2-13-1 record from last year, says Manheim Central’s boys soccer coach Adam Bastidas (bottom, left).

When a star player goes out with an injury, the others on the team have to dig deep and find a way to make up the difference.