BELCHERTOWN — Coach Scott Poulin is no stranger to Belchertown volleyball.

He just finished his seventh season coaching the girls varsity team in the fall. Prior to that, he coached the boys junior varsity team for two years.

Poulin will likely begin his eighth season as the girls coach later this year. Before that can happen, he will coach the boys varsity team for the first time.

“I actually started coaching boys, even before I went over to the girls,” he said. “The girls just happened to be open, so I went with it. The girls game is a lot more mental, where as the boys is much more physical. But it’s still the game of volleyball. The only difference is the nuances, so I am very excited for the challenge, especially with this group.”

Poulin takes over a team that is still very raw. Under first-year coach Rick Reidy in 2015, Belchertown finished 7-11 overall, 3-7 in the East.

“This team had a parent coach last year, so there’s some gaps in our game, even for the younger players that have been here,” Poulin said. “So from Day 1, we pretty much started from scratch and we’re working our way up from there. I can’t take anything for granted that they have or haven’t been taught.”

Another challenge will be a lack of veterans. The team returns only two starters in junior Drew Duquette and senior Anthony Hosmer.

Hosmer said he is ready for extra responsibilities that come with being a leader.

“Keeping the team together,” he said. “Making sure that nobody gets left behind and keep pushing forward as a team.”

Poulin was pleasantly surprised with the abilities of his young players during the preseason. He thought they could add some depth to his athletic and versatile team.

“Everyone here is capable of playing varsity minutes by the end of the year,” he said. “It’s going to be interesting to find a lineup that works because there’s so many people that can play so many positions. We’re not short, we’re not weak, we’re going to be very flexible.”

Two years ago the Orioles went 14-6 and reached the Western Massachusetts Division 1 quarterfinals.

The program lost four more seniors from last season.

Duquette was aware that the team’s lack of experience could be viewed as a weakness by opponents, but he was eager to prove them wrong.

“We’re definitely going to surprise some teams,” he said. “As such a young group, they’re not going to expect much from us, but I think we’re going to be a strong team throughout the season.”

Poulin’s aspirations for his team are high.

“We’re going to make the playoffs,” he said. “Somehow we’re going to find a way to make it, that’s our goal. Go ahead and underestimate us. We’ll take advantage of it.”

Belchertown

Coach: Scott Poulin, first year

League: East

Last Year’s Record: 7-11

Last Tournament Appearance: 2014, lost 3-0 to Westfield in WMass quarterfinals

Returning Starters: Seniors — Anthony Hosmer, OH/MB; Juniors — Drew Duquette, S

Other Returning Players: Juniors — Mitchell Bolton, OH; Hichul Chung, OH/L; Matthew Davidson, OPP; Jacob Woodcock, OH/L

Newcomers: Sophomores — Nathan Bresnahan, OH/MB; Ethan Lafleur, S/OH; Christopher Lapointe, OH; Joshua Parent, OH; Matthew Perkins, OPP; Kyle Zielinski, MB

Outlook: The Orioles look to rebound behind first year boys coach Poulin, who’s been the girls varsity coach in the fall since 2009. There is a lack of veteran presence, as Duquette and Hosmer are the only two returning starters. With such a young team, the Orioles will look to qualify for the playoffs and create a foundation of success moving forward.

Smith Vocational

Coach: Ashley Clark, second year

League: Independent

Last Year’s Record: 6-2

Last Tournament Appearance: Did not qualify (not enough games played)

Returning Starters: Seniors — Jorge Andujar, S/OH; Wendell Padilla-Garcia, OH; Jake Wilson-Martineau, S

Other Returning Players: Juniors — Malcolm Reyes-Stoneham, OH; Sophomores — Symon Dastoli, OH

Newcomers: Freshmen — Tyler Top, OH/S/M; Ethan Rivera, OH; Eric Stoltz, OH; Isaac Nazario, OH

Outlook: The program exceeded expectations during its first season, posting a 6-2 record with a team that only featured nine players. Five of the nine players are returning this season, as the team will feature a strong veteran presence. With upperclassmen leadership, as well as an eager group of newcomers, the team looks to post another winning season.