Whatever Leavitt is at the start of the season, coach Dave Gerrish hopes it will be different by the end.

“I think if we play hard, and I hate to use the old cliche, but if we kind of believe in the process of improvement all year, I think we could be really good by the end of the year,” Gerrish said.

Last year, the Hornets won a preliminary game against Morse before falling in the Class A South quarterfinals to Greely (it was the second year in a row the Rangers ended Leavitt’s season in the postseason).

Gone from that team was a strong surpassed 15 points on several occasions last year.

“She had a good year last year,” Gerrish said.

The Hornets also will have senior Sophie Gilbert, who put up 21 points against Mt. Ararat in the season opener last year, but went down with an injury soon after and was out for the remainder of the season.

“She’s a really good leader, so we’re glad to have her playing again,” Gerrish said.

Rebecca Fogg had a few high-scoring games in 2016-17, and Zoe Nadeau is expected to again play an important role.

The Hornets want to play stout defense and on offense run the ball more than in the past.

Gerrish said Leavitt has what it takes to compete in A South.

“As always, we hope to stay injury-free, knock on wood, and see how things come out,” Gerrish said. “But I think we have a really good group of kids and they play hard, and then just see what happens.”

Coach: David Gerrish (fifth year)

Conference: KVAC; Class: A South

Last year’s results: 7-11 (lost in quarterfinals)

Returning athletes: Seniors — Sophie Gilbert, Elizabeth Goulette, Rebecca Fogg, Zoe Nadeau; Juniors — Mallory Casey, Georgia Brown, Amber Kelley; Sophomores — Taylor White, Mckenna Redstone.

Promising newcomers: Freshmen — Kayleigh Gilbert, Alison Noniewicz, Jayden Carpenter.