If numbers are any indication, the Whitehall girls volleyball team is primed to have a successful season next year.

In looking at those numbers, the team only loses two seniors from a squad that finished 9-10 and qualified for the District XI tournament. Granted, those are big shoes to fill with kill leader Olivia Bobyak, departing, along with talented veteran Madison Scarfaro, but the team retains a number of experienced players that should make that transition smooth.

Head coach Rob Gardner said that his team delivered this season, taking the necessary steps to get into the postseason.

"They played really well," said Gardner. "They won the games they needed to win in the end. They worked really hard to achieve their goals.

"They had a good season, and we look forward to a better season next year."

They have a majority of their players coming back, and that should provide strong building blocks for a team that's shown they can make it to the second season in a tough Lehigh Valley Conference. Additionally, Gardner said that many of those players started this season.

"We have a lot of experience returning, and that will help us," Gardner said.

Peeking at those numbers again shows a talented crop of six juniors returning that played an integral part in their success. They include, Rebecca Lutterschmidt, Elizabeth Lynch, Charlotte Connors, Tanesia Rehrig, Soledad Rodriguez and Marla Schaffer.

Both the front and back rows will be ably filled, with this group coming back and helping the Zephs challenge for the lead in the North Division of the LVC.

Also, those numbers include a strong contingent of sophomores, many of whom logged significant minutes this season. They include, Eliny Castro, Cristal Fernandez, Anna Gallina, Autumn Puello and libero Korin Koehler.

Strong numbers, indeed.

With such promise for a bright 2014, Gardner is anxious to see what this team can accomplish.

"We're excited about next year," Gardner said.