The Hopkinton High School girls volleyball team has experienced some ups and downs in terms of outcomes this fall, but coach Emma Sweetapple said her players are a fun group and have played well together as they embraced a move to a higher division.

“We moved up to Division 1 this year, so we are definitely playing more teams that we have not seen in the past,” Sweetapple said. “We have also had some tough competition in the Tri-Valley League, and we are hoping that helps us prepare for the postseason.”

A strong veteran corps also is a boost for Hopkinton’s chances at making a solid tournament run. Senior captain Gabby Pattie is back at setter for her third varsity season. Through September, she had amassed more than 300 assists for the season and nearly 1,600 for her career. On the receiving end of some of those has been another three-year varsity player, junior Evie Woodbury.

“She played middle the last couple of seasons, but we moved her to outside hitter and she is a really strong offensive and defensive player for us,” Sweetapple said.

Hopkinton has strength and experience all around the floor. In the middle is Sofiah Wightman Kraus, a senior and co-captain.

“She is our top blocker right now,” Sweetapple said, “and another very important player to the team.”

In the back row, libero Sydney Stephen is in her second year with the varsity.

“She has been really solid on defense, and she is also leading the team in aces,” Sweetapple said.

Sweetapple said the team’s performance through September had been roughly in line with what she expected at the start of the season, given the tough competition in the TVL. While she acknowledged that the Hillers needed to be more consistent, she has been impressed with the team’s ability to bounce back.

“This team has a lot of resiliency,” she said. “We had a tough match against Medfield and then we talked through it and worked through it at practice. That next week, against Westborough, we turned it around. Their ability to move on and fix errors is great, and that’s something that will help us as we progress.”

Sweetapple said she thinks this is a team with the potential to put together a strong finish to the season, including a good run in the tournament.

“We have a lot of talent across the board, including some younger talent and people who are new to the team, so we need to figure out that consistency,” she said. “We are trying to get into a groove with each other. But, talent wise, it’s definitely there.”