LAKE OF THE PINES — There was a time not too long ago when Matt McDonald couldn’t talk about the Bear River High volleyball team competing for a Pioneer Valley League title while keeping a straight face.

This fall, McDonald openly mentions his Bruins in the same breath as PVL powers Placer and Colfax.

“I think it’s a three-horse race with us, Placer and Colfax,” said McDonald, Bear River’s third-year coach. “We know they will be tough, but I think our team expects to win. We have some young players that really have a fire under them.”

Bear River’s expectations may be lofty for a team that finished just 3-9 last season. But the varsity team welcomes a host of players from last year’s PVL championship junior varsity squad and a couple from a freshman team that also won a PVL title.

The youngsters join a solid nucleus that includes returning all-PVL performers Sara Schell and Christy Nat. Schell was fourth in league MVP voting last season as a freshman.

“She’s just an amazing athlete,” McDonald said of the 6-foot sophomore. “She’s one of our captains as a sophomore, so that says a lot right there.”

Nat will join Schell at the net, where she will be a factor on offense and with her blocking. She said the Bruins are much more confident this season.

“It’s a different group from last year and we fight for every point,” Nat said. “If we get down, we fight back.”

Adding to the Bruins’ firepower is junior Katie Tomkiewicz. She brings good height at 5-10 and is an excellent athlete.

At setter, sophomore Kaya Johnson has taken the reins and added a new dimension for Bear River.

“She’s added a lot for us,” McDonald said of Johnson. “Last year we just couldn’t get any offense going, but I think she’s going to change that.”

Libero Laura Daniels is the only other senior on the roster. Juniors Grace Kooi and Hannah Mosman will contribute to the back row defense along with junior Jess Mastrella.

At middle blocker, McDonald is rotating juniors Morgan Andes, Ahlani Adamson, Sabrina Groom, Dakota Andrews and Kendal Nielsen. The coach is thrilled with the depth of this year’s squad.

“Last year there were a few matches where we only had eight players,” McDonald said. “This year we go 14 players deep. It’s added a lot of competition for spots.”

Bear River has not won a league volleyball title since 1995, when the Bruins won the Golden Empire League banner. A return to the playoffs is the most immediate goal, but the dreams of a league title aren’t far-fetched.

“We’re expecting to do really well,” Schell said. “And hopefully we can bring home a league title.”