It’s going to take a lot of hard work to earn that fourth state appearance. That’s why Sarah McDonald comes to the gym every day, ready to compete.

McDonald, one of three seniors on the  Mount Si varsity volleyball team, knows she has a younger team compared to the groups that took sixth at state in 2009 and 2010.

“But everyone’s going to step up,” she said.

McDonald, who shared outside hitting duties last fall, brings the kills. She’s backed up by senior Brooke Bonner at libero. Third senior Krista Galloway, a relative newcomer to the program who started on varsity last year, is a mid-blocker. All three upperclasswomen are hungry for state.

“We want to win,” said Bonner, who emphasizes her support role.

Galloway focuses on improvement this season.

“It’s always fulfilling to see us getting better,” she said.

Eleven of Mount Si’s 12 women have club experience. Kailey Capelouto is expected to be Mount Si’s primary setter. Big things are also expected of Lauren Smith, a junior who worked hard in the offseason. Newcomers include sophomore Lindsay Carr, a former Snoqualmie resident who left for Virginia for a while, and Anna McCreadie, a freshman.

Turnout this fall, nearly 60 prospects, was the biggest in recent memory for the Wildcats.

“Kids are starting to dig playing volleyball,” said head coach Bonnie Foote, who is in her 12th year in the program. She doubles as Mount Si’s physical education teacher.

Youth clubs like RidgeValley and new U-12 teams have created a grassroots foundation of players. Summer camps run by high school players also build skills and enthusiasm.

“These kids are just bleeding volleyball,” Foote said.