The Hillers battle Westwood for possession during a game this season. PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

The Hopkinton High School girls lacrosse team missed out on the postseason a year ago, but coach Katelyn Wedemeyer is hopeful that a group of seniors who have played together for most of their lives can help the Hillers pull off some significant victories this spring.

“We are looking to improve, we didn’t make the tournament last year, and the hope is obviously to make the tournament this year,” Wedemeyer said. “Our seniors have played together since they were in the third grade, and all of them bring a lot of experience. They are a great group of seniors.”

The coach said her team has been excited for the season and shown strong energy through the first few games of the year. Senior captain Emily Hayward is one of the team’s top offensive threats.

“She is playing really well, and she takes all of our draws,” Wedemeyer said. “She is a real threat on the field.”

Another midfielder, senior captain Emma Dacey, is planning to continue her lacrosse career at UConn next season.

“She has a high lacrosse IQ, and she is the most selfless player,” Wedemeyer said. “She is a really great team player.”

Jaymie Arena is another leading scorer and one of the team’s most experienced players on the attack. Sinead Herr is another senior captain and one of the most versatile on the field.

“She has played everywhere from attack to midfield to defense,” Wedemeyer said. “She is extremely fit, and she always has the best vibes about her, the best energy. She is a great vocal leader on the team.”

Stonehill-bound captain Michaela Scannevin leads the defense, one of the youngest groups on the roster.

“She has been a good role model and an anchor for our defense,” Wedemeyer said. “A lot of our defense is new, and she is taking charge and leading the team back there.”

In addition to the five senior captains, Hopkinton benefits from senior Lily Tourigny on the attack and Morgan Arnold in goal. Wedemeyer said she is looking for her team to continue to improve week by week against a challenging schedule.

“We want to have a lot of fun and keep a positive mentality and just have them learn from their teammates,” she said. “We want this to be a really good season.”

Hopkinton’s schedule this spring includes some tough non-league contests, and Wedemeyer said there will be no letdowns or days off when taking on the Tri-Valley League.

“The TVL is the hardest league in the state to compete in, and the other teams just keep developing and getting better,” she said. “It’s just a very competitive landscape in the TVL Large.”