Creston’s departing seniors on the 2012 volleyball team were part of an encouraging new era in Panther volleyball, coach Polly Luther said at Sunday’s team banquet in the high school commons.

The first-year coach was encouraged by the 13-12 season — Creston’s first winning record since 1992 — and a tie for sixth in the Hawkeye 10 at 3-6. Highlights included the season-opening win at Norwalk, in overcoming the loss of senior hitter Amy Dunphy during the match; the senior night home win over Glenwood; and a hard-fought five-set loss against a tall, talented Shenandoah team. (Glenwood and Shenandoah were the teams tied with Creston in the league standings.)

“We started something that hasn’t been done at Creston in 20 years in girls volleyball,” Luther said. “Our seniors have ended their careers with our program looking up. Now, it’s our job as coaches and underclassmen to make sure that continues.”