After missing qualifying for the state tournament by one place two years in a row, the Oak Harbor High School volleyball team is out to reverse the trend.

The Wildcats dropped the third-place, winner-to-state district match to Ferndale in both 2014 and 2015 after taking second in 2013 and finishing sixth at state.

One obvious goal for Oak Harbor this season, coach Kerri Molitor said, is to return to state.

To do that, the Wildcats will rely on a mostly untested group.

Only two starters, senior Julie Jansen and junior Hailee Blau, return.

Blau and Jansen finished 1-2 in blocks and second and fifth in kills, respectively, for Oak Harbor last fall; Blau also earned Wesco honorable mention.

The pair will both play middle for the Wildcats this season.

Other returning letter winners are senior Lauren May (libero), junior Samantha Hines (outside) and sophomore Camryn Bristow (outside).

Key newcomers are juniors Andrea Ruben (setter) and Kristina Tirado (right side) and sophomore Ceirra Dean (defensive specialist).

“We are young,” Molitor said. “Although we have returning letter recipients, they were not all starters and/or did not play the same positions as they will be playing this year.”

On the positive side, Molitor said, the girls “work well together,” “are creative and persistent” and “will find a way to be successful.”

She added she has “a great group of student-athletes to work with.”

The team should be successful if its improves each week, she said.

“I’m looking forward to another year. I am excited to work with this group and to see where they can go.”

Oak Harbor finished 7-5 (9-9 overall) and in fifth place in the Western Conference last season before the strong showing in the district tournament.

This season starts at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6, with a trip to Ferndale. Cedarcrest comes to Oak Harbor at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7.