The Viking volleyball team is working to build a dominant team with strong chemistry that will overcome the challenge of replacing last year’s graduates and that will aspire to improve upon prior results.

Notable losses from last year’s team include all three captains: Claire Dennis, Claire Krugler and Clara Chiu.

Despite the departure of three major assets, coach Jekara Wilson said she believes that the team’s success will be unaffected.

“That’s the beauty of high school sports,” Wilson said. “It inevitably changes each and every year. All four seniors this year are just as great and we will [miss] them just the same next year.”

According to Wilson, many leaders on the court have already emerged, including all of the current seniors, sophomore middle blocker Sienna Brewster, and junior outside hitter Chelsea Fan.

Wilson said she has set a high bar for the team this year.

“My goals are to keep the girls motivated and accountable to hold themselves at the highest standards possible,” Wilson said. “With the squad we have, there isn’t any reason why we shouldn’t win league and go deep into CCS and hopefully NorCals. ”

According to Fan, the team’s strong chemistry will contribute to a successful season.

“I think our team this year works really well together since we’re all pretty close even outside of volleyball,” Fan said.

Wilson said she believes that this year’s team is adapting well to the new roster, and a strong dynamic is emerging.

“I think this year we came in knowing what to expect and overall are better adjusted and acclimated to our environment and can solely focus on team development and success,” Wilson said.

The team will play its first match of the year on Tuesday in San Francisco against St. Ignatius College Preparatory. League matches will begin on Sept. 13 against Monta Vista High School.