Oakville Senior High School volleyball coach Morgan Lucas sees a district championship in her team’s future.

“I would be letting them down if I didn’t say we need to win districts,” Lucas said. “We’ve got the talent. Just because we’re young is no excuse.”

The Tigers went 27-8 last year and lost in district finals to Cor Jesu.

Lucas’ only senior this season will be Erica Reilly, an outside hitter. The Tigers are returning two middle defenders, sophomores Sarah Makowski and Jennifer Brendel. Lucas will count on returning libero Danielle Breeher and Abby Ullo and Sarah Stepp on defense.

Joining Reilly and outside hitter Jen Wolken on the attack will be Annie Leonard and Carissa Schmidt from the right side. Lucas is counting on sophomore Kayla Reeg in a starting role.

“I don’t complain about my 6-foot middles,” Lucas laughed. “I’m not complaining they’re sophomores. We’re going to be strong defensively this year. I have two kids that are talented liberos. They’ll be on defense. If you can’t put a ball away against us, you can’t beat us. Win districts, we preach that from day one here.”

When the Tigers won that title in 2008, it was the school’s first since 1995.

“That was huge for Oakville,” she said.

She remembers last year’s state champions — Ozark High School. It was where her coaching career began.

“This year we want to win districts and advance to sectional play,” she said.

By that time, her team will be battle tested.

Beside playing in the Suburban West Conference against such schools as Lindbergh, Parkway South, Lafayette, Marquette and Eureka, which moved conferences this year, Oakville is sponsoring the Gateway Match-up, a 16-team tourney that will bring teams from Illinois and Kansas City here.

“We’re trying to see some teams we don’t regularly see,” Lucas said. “We’re pretty excited about hosting it.”

Oakville Girls’ Volleyball

Sept. 2 Seckman A 5 p.m.

Sep. 3 Marquette A 5:15 p.m.

Sept. 7 Parkway South H 5 p.m.

Sept. 11 Lori Endicott Tourney A TBA

Sept. 14 Farmington A 6 p.m.

Sept. 16-18 Gateway Matchup H TBA

Sept. 21 Kirkwood H 5 p.m.

Sept. 23 Mehlville H 5 p.m.

Sept. 28 Eureka H 5 p.m.

Sept. 29 Francis Howell H 5:15 p.m.

Sept. 30 Villa Duchesne H 5 p.m.

Oct. 5 Webster Groves A 5 p.m.

Oct. 6 Notre Dame A 5 p.m.

Oct. 12 Northwest H 5 p.m.

Oct. 15 Lafayette A 5 p.m.

Oct. 16 Festus Tourney A TBA

Oct. 19 Lindbergh A 5 p.m.

Oct. 22 Ursuline H 5 p.m.