Nathalie Theriault is back, and that alone is a nice perk for Poland.

As a sophomore last year, Theriault, a guard, led the Knights in scoring, assists and rebounds as they went 8-12 and reached the Class B South quarterfinals.

Poland essentially returns the same team in 2016-17, and third-year coach Mike Susi hopes that Theriault won’t have to carry too heavy of a load.

“We stressed a lot this summer that other people need to step up so we can be a little more diverse,” Susi said.

Morgan Brousseau evolved into more of a scoring option by the end of last season, and Susi thinks Lexy Grondin and Sarah Moody can shoot the ball well enough to spread defenses and open gaps for Theriault, Brousseau and slasher Jessica Seeley.

Defense will be just as important.

“I think our strength is going to continue to be we’re really quick, we have some speed, we like to get out and pressure people,” Susi said. “Our forte, first and foremost, is defense.”

Like Theriault, Brousseau, Grondin, Moody and Seeley also are juniors this season, so however this year’s team finishes, it should be a building block to a big finish next year.

Coach: Mike Susi (third year)

Conference: WMC; Class: B South

Last year’s results: 8-12 (lost in Class B South quarterfinal)

Returning athletes: Seniors — Victoria Tibbetts; Juniors — Nathalie Theriault, Lexy Grondin, Morgan Brousseau, Jessica Seeley, Sarah Moody, Katelyn Dufour, Katelyn Green, Caitlin Doyle, Jordan Gregory

Key losses: Sarah Bolduc.

Promising newcomers: Juniors — Erin Ridley; Freshmen — Ally Gagne, Sophie Vallee.