With nine returning players back, the goal of the Roanoke Catholic volleyball team is to continue what they started in 2011, which is defending its VISAA, Division 3 state title come this season.

Donning the green and gold again this fall will be senior outside hitter Mairin Guilfoyle (289 kills, 84 aces, 257 digs), senior setter Ava Perez (562 assists, 67 aces, 121 digs), senior outside hitter Maria Barrera (127 digs, 15 aces), senior defensive specialist Anna Barrera (87 digs, 17 aces), junior right side Danielle Dorman (33 blocks, 57 kills), junior libero Anne Deer (317 digs, 34 aces), sophomore middle blocker Allison George (38 blocks, 20 aces), sophomore outside hitter Alexandra Arnold (41 blocks, 58 kills) and freshman setter Ashley Deer (46 assists, 27 digs).

"Our strength this year is the large number of returning players we have that were with us last season when we won the state championship," said second-year head coach Aaron King. "That experience should help us as we work to build our team this year."

New to the varsity team this year are senior defensive specialist Biance Herrera, along with junior middle blocker Zoe Doubles and junior outside hitter Nat LeDonne.

"The coaches and players all feel that there is no reason why we shouldn't strive to duplicate what last year's team accomplished," King said. "Our goal is to continue what we started in 2011."

Roanoke Catholic sees its top matches as those being with North Cross, Liberty Christian, Eastern Mennonite, Hidden Valley, Patrick Henry, Northside, Blacksburg and Westover Christian.

The Celtics open their season on Tuesday, Aug. 21 when they host Westover Christian Academy.