POULSBO — If the North Kitsap volleyball team is successful this year, part of the reason may be that it’s had a little help from above: the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association.

This season will be the first that teams play state-wide under rally scoring rules, which means that the side playing defense can receive points, not just the side playing offense.

Under previous rules, a missed serve or stellar defensive play would result in a change of possession. This season, such a play could win the game.

Vikings’ head coach Clay Blackwood said he thinks the new system will favor the hard-charging, defensive-minded North Kitsap team.

“They’re a scrappy bunch,” Blackwood said. “They’re not afraid to hit the floor or get dirty or play hard.”

Player Sarah Mostofi agreed.: “With rally scoring, our defensive strengths will be an asset,” she said.

The system, which was voted on by the WIAA’s Executive Board of Directors after a national decision was handed down, heralds other changes as well. Sets will now be played to 25 points rather than 15, except for the fifth and deciding game, which will still go to 15. Also, teams will be allowed a libero, a player who can substitute anywhere in the back row at any time to play defense.

Blackwood said he believes several players on the defensive-minded Vikings could do well in such a role.

In fact, he said he is happy with what he’s seen from the players so far.

North Kitsap returns four players who received significant playing time on last year’s varsity team, including Mostofi, Liz Tomsyck — who was named to the Bridge Division’s All-League team — Jamie Heins and Megan Brose.

Players who are new or relatively new to varsity include Kelly Tilton, Kristen Sprague, Amanda Divyak, Molly McCluskey and Lauren Romero.

It will also include newcomer Jennifer Buckner, a club-volleyball veteran who spent last year’s fall season on the soccer field.

Blackwood said he thinks Buckner will add some hitting power to North Kitsap, something that will help the team pick up its offense.

“Our offense will be better, even though we don’t have a lot of height,” Tomsyck said.

While the Vikings kept several players and added new faces as well, they will be trying to make up for another player who isn’t there: Kira Barnett, who played last year but moved out of state.

North Kitsap went 3-4 last season, good for fifth place in the competitive Narrows League but not good enough to make the league tournament, which takes only the top four teams.

“We had some heart-breakers last year,” Blackwood said. “With rally scoring, some of those games would have gone our way.”