After finishing with three wins a year ago, Northampton looks to make amends on the volleyball court this season.

The Kids (3-2) appeared to be refreshed and primed to learn from last year’s mistakes and turn that into progress this spring under head coach Dave Faust.

With last year’s team going through the growing pains of being a young group, a year of maturity and experience should do the Kids well.

“Since we were very young, starting mostly sophomores a junior and one senior, we had to learn to play together and win,” said Faust of last season’s struggles. “There were several matches that could have gone our way, but during the close matches our youth and lack of experience was evident.”

Northampton returns four starters in junior middle hitters Andrew Faust and Nick Lessig, senior outside hitter Justin Monte and junior setter Kyle Whiteman. Junior outside hitter Brandon Caffrey also returns.

New starters for 2017 are sophomore libero Luis Roman, who leads the team in digs, and junior defensive specialist Erik Fulks and junior outside hitter Carson Keefe.

Other players showing improvement are seniors Eli Shetayh, Jovan Chatih and juniors Tyler Csanadi, Austin Frey and Jack Test.

Finding a replacement for EPC all-star and all-state libero Charlie Saloum, will be one of the biggest obstacles to overcome this season.

“The biggest opportunity in terms of player replacement is finding another libero,” said Faust. “Replacing Charlie is not an option. He is one of those special players that do not come along very often. However, if there is a player on our roster that could fill the role of libero, it is sophomore Luis Roman. He is naturally athletic and has speed you do not often see in a player.”

This year’s group will rely on their team mentality to push through in conference play, but Faust hopes that their mental fortitude will come through this season if they really want to achieve.

“Our biggest opportunity is mental,” Faust said. “We need to know we are good enough to compete with the other top teams in the league. We just need to realize it. I believe a win over one of the top teams this year will drive that home.”