EDGARD — The West St. John volleyball team has shown itself to be an ascending program in Class 1A over the past few seasons. But with the graduation of a number of key starters, the Lady Rams are putting in work this summer in an attempt to keep that positive momentum flowing.

The Rams have been playing summer league volleyball under coach Glenda Mattos, who said that while the program must rebuild and replenish for the upcoming season, a number of players have shown great promise.

Among them is Dmyriah Herbert, the Lady Rams’ breakout hitter last season. Particularly with the departure of hitter Kaieonne Sorapuru, Herbert will be counted on even more in 2015 — and will draw added attention from opposing defenses.

Mattos said Herbert is having a fine summer.

“She’s doing real well,” Mattos said. “We only have three returning varsity players, so our team will be counting on her … if you ever watch her, she shows no expression. It’s because she’s so focused. She’s really turning into a strong hitter, and she can get so much better.”

Alante Gauthier is another player Mattos has high hopes for. Gauthier is working as the team’s setter, after doing so in J.V. action last season. Talika Howard, meanwhile, will work alongside Herbert as the team’s right-side hitter.

“Those three players we’ll be leaning on and they’ve each stepped up so far,” Mattos said. “Most of our players are very, very young, and we’ll have to work with them.

“We’ve got a few girls who have got some skills and we want to bring it out of them.”

West St. John finished 12-7 last season and reached the postseason before bowing out in the first round in a district rematch with perennial top contender Central Catholic.

Two years ago, the Rams earned the right to host a postseason game for the first time in school history and made good on it, also earning the first playoff win in the program’s history with a three game sweep over visiting Patrick Taylor. WSJ finished 14-9 in 2013.