The Auburn Riverside volleyball team found itself on the cusp of the state 4A volleyball tournament last season.

The Ravens look to take it a step further this season. Auburn Riverside, which finished third in the South Puget Sound League North 4A race with a 6-2 record last season, made some noise in the district playoffs before meeting elimination.

Despite the loss of outside hitter Brooklyn Bradbury and Maureen Sachs to graduation, Auburn Riverside will reload behind Alison Wuerch, a 6-foot senior middle hitter and SPSL North 4A first-team selection last season.

Joining Wuerch will be returning starters Lauren Johnson, a 5-9 senior outside hitter, and Brenna Bruil, a 5-10 junior middle hitter.

Although coach Chris Leverenz is confident her squad has the firepower needed to get through a difficult league schedule, it’s all about getting the ball to the hitters.

“Our setters are extremely talented and are getting better every day. Their ceiling is very high,” Leverenz said. “They just need lots of time with my hitters.”

The Ravens look to either freshman Carson Heilborn or sophomore Lexi White to distribute the ball.

With just three returning starters, the key to Auburn Riverside’s journey will be gaining experience and confidence, Leverenz said.

“We have work to do on the confidence level,” she said. “I need a little more fire and a little more ‘get-after-it’ attitude.”

The Ravens compete at the Adidas Invitational at Auburn Mountainview on Saturday. Auburn Riverside travels to Rogers of Puyallup on Tuesday and hosts Spanaway Lake on Thursday in nonleague action. Both matches begin at 7:15 p.m.

The Ravens start league play Sept. 19 at Auburn.