Inexperience and injuries -- that sums up the first few weeks of the boys' volleyball season for Hopewell High School.

The Vikings (5-2) have four non-conference victories, but injuries and inexperience have kept coach Terry Borkovic's squad from reaching its full potential.

"We opened the season at the Cambridge Springs tournament and our best hitter, Mike McLaughlin, suffered a shoulder injury," Borkovic said. "That forced us to do a little juggling. Mike didn't hit for a week and a half. It was a big loss when he went down."

McLaughlin is a 6-foot-3 junior outside hitter who has started since his freshman year. He returned to the lineup just in time for Hopewell's next injury.

"Our setter, Pat McGovern, suffered a slight knee sprain in the second game of our Section 1-AA match with Moon," Borkovic said. "We had to move Mike to setter."

McGovern, a 5-9 junior, missed one match and a tournament at North Hills before returning to the lineup April 4 against Butler.

"This is Pat's first year at the varsity level," Borkovic said. "He's done a fine job thus far, but the injury kept him from gaining valuable experience."

The 3-2 loss to Moon Area followed a 3-0 loss to Montour, which left Hopewell with an 0-2 section record in Section 1-AA. But a 3-1 victory against Peters Township Tuesday gave the Vikings a boost. They will be at home tonight against Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.

"Both matches are big," Borkovic said of this week's schedule. "We can't afford many more losses. We are healthy and can be a serious contender for the WPIAL playoffs if we start playing the way we are capable."

Borkovic said he is pleased with the PIAA's decision to divide its 200-plus teams into two classifications. Under the new alignment, the Vikings are competing in Section 1-AA, along with Montour, Moon, Ambridge Area, OLSH and Peters Township.

Montour is No. 4 in the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association state rankings, while Ambridge is No. 5. Ambridge was the WPIAL runner-up last season.

"I think we can be a factor if we can play our game," Borkovic said. "We just need to stay focused and stay healthy. One of our biggest concerns is lack of experienced depth. Losing a key player really hurts."

Mike McLaughlin is one of four returning lettermen. He is joined by 6-0 senior middle hitter Scott McLaughlin, 6-3 junior middle hitter Ryan Hanne and 5-10 junior outside hitter Christian Woznicki.

"Scott is Mike's brother, a four-year starter, and he's our only senior," Borkovic said. "We had to move him to the outside when Mike was setting. Ryan has been starting since his freshman year."

Also seeing significant playing time are 5-11 junior right-side hitter Mitch Prosen; 6-3 junior middle/outside hitter Anthony Williams; 5-10 junior defensive specialist Anthony Zaccaro; and 5-8 junior defensive specialist Jordan Jones.

"Mitch missed last season to have shoulder surgery," Borkovic said.