The Coupeville High School volleyball program begins a new era this fall as Kirsty Croghan takes over for long-time coach Toni Crebbin.

Although Croghan, a 2006 CHS graduate, is new, the squad she will put on the court isn’t. The Wolves lost only one full-time starter to graduation and return eight letter winners: Hailey Hammer, Breeanna Messner, Madeline Strasburg, Amanda Fabrizi, Sydney Aparicio, Haley Sherman, Megan Oakes and Alli Hanigan.

Hammer was a second-team, all-league choice in 2012.

Amy King, a veteran Coupeville coach, is Croghan’s assistant and will help lend experience to the program.

A strong group of incoming freshman will give the team an added boost, Croghan said, with Valen Trujillo and Tiffany Briscoe leading the bunch.

Being new to the team, Croghan said it is too early to identify her team’s primary strengths and weaknesses.

“After a couple of matches I will know more,” she said.

In addition, since she is unfamiliar with Coupeville’s opponents, she isn’t sure which teams are the favorites in this year’s Cascade Conference race.

“The team is preparing to be competitive this year and hopefully one of the teams to beat,” Crogan said. “My expectations for this year’s team is to become a more competitive team within and outside of our league.”

One thing Croghan is sure about is the work ethic of her club: “The girls have been working extra hard this summer and during preseason to prepare themselves for a quicker, faster paced game.”

She added, “I have a great group of hardworking and motivated girls this season and it will be one to watch.”

Coupeville begins conference play with the home opener with Cedarcrest at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12.