Utica volleyball coach Lisa Ritzer is looking for her team to build on last year, a season in which the Redskins struggled in terms of wins and losses but scored high points in development.

“We finished the 2022-23 season 7-15. Last year we had positive growth in our players and we are looking to build off of that moving forward,” Ritzer said of last season, in which the team finished eight games under .500 overall and 4-11 in the Licking County League standings. 

“The seniors have stepped up and shown great leadership throughout the summer,” Ritzer said.

Heading into this season, the Redskins will feature a team heavily laden with seniors, some of whom are coming off strong play a year ago and some of whom are new to varsity play.

“We have three returning seniors from last year: Emilee Ellis (setter), Emma Kimpel (defensive specialist) and Lexi Wiegand (defensive specialist),” Ritzer said. “We also have senior Hannah Shaver (outside hitter) back this year from an injury that didn’t allow her to play last year.”

Last season, Ellis was one of the top servers in the conference, racking up 65 aces. Serving was not her only strength as she also recorded 207 digs and 255 assists, making her presence felt in multiple aspects of the game.

Kimpel led the team in three statistical categories, with 226 digs, 129 kills and 329 receptions. Wiegand had 205 digs.

Shaver pushed herself through her rehab and promises to add a strong presence on the outside, Ritzer said.

Four additional seniors who are new to playing at the varsity level will be battling for spots, the coach said.

As for underclassmen, junior Alexa Gosnell, who has 235 assists a season ago, is returning to the setting spot for the second year. “And we’ve had some sophomores step up and show versatility in their play,” Ritzer said. “We have depth and a lot of different options we are looking at to fill positions."

The Redskins expect to run a 6-2 system that is designed to allow for a three-hitter option in every play. “Our goal is to attack and hopefully get the defense out of (rhythm),” the coach said. 

Utica doesn’t rely on slogans, but four-year coach Ritzer said the players circle up and chant as a team to hype each other up before games.

Ritzer draws her coaching philosophy, which she described as “always evolving," from her past experiences under some good coaches.

With a solid group of seniors to lead on the court, Ritzer said, “Our goal is to use the experience we have back this year to help push our younger players.”

Utica opens its 2023 season at Fredericktown, Saturday at 11:30 a.m.