1. Centennial

Last season: 17-1, ranked No. 1

Despite the graduation of eight seniors, the three-time defending Class 3A state champions return seven juniors who played two seasons on the school's unbeaten junior varsity.

2. St. Paul's

Last season: 20-4, No. 5

The Gators return five starters, including 6-foot-3 junior Bailey Webster, perhaps the area's best player, as well as second-team All-Baltimore County outside hitter Jillian Unitas and senior hitter Bailey Griswold.

3. Reservoir

Last season: 19-2, No. 2

The Class 2A state finalist graduated Howard County Player of the Year Jamie Thomas, but returns a handful of starters, including All-Howard County setter Jamie Huffman, who will switch to hitter.

4. Arch. Spalding

Last season: 18-3, No. 4

Last year's Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference champion graduated eight players, but returns four experienced seniors.

5. Dulaney

Last season: 15-2, No. 7

The Lions graduated a pair of first-team All-Baltimore County hitters, but return enough young talent to continue their reign in the county.

6. Broadneck

Last season: 16-2, No. 8

Coach Romonzo Beans is optimistic about his young squad, which could end up being as good as a year ago despite graduating its top middle hitter and setter.

7. River Hill

Last season: 12-4, No. 9

The Hawks return the bulk of last year's team, led by All-County outside hitter Maddi Lee. Finding replacements for last year's middle hitters will be key.

8. Catonsville

Last season: 17-3, No. 10

The Comets return three starters, led by standout setter Amanda Parry, as well as a talented group of juniors who gained valuable varsity experience a year ago.

9. Liberty

Last season: 16-2, No. 3

Despite losing four All-County players to graduation, the Lions return a strong group of club players that should carry them to their ninth straight Carroll County title.

10. Glenelg

Last season: 12-5, No. 6

The Gladiators lost half their team to graduation, but return senior hitters Amber and Sabrina Winterling to a squad that could be superior defensively.

11. Mount Hebron

Last season: 12-5, No. 12

The Vikings return eight players, but need to replace their three-year starting setter. Senior Meghan Campbell should be one of the top middle hitters in the area.

12. Wilde Lake

Last season: 10-8, unranked

With a roster full of sophomores and juniors last season, the Wildecats took Centennial and River Hill to five games, then knocked off the Nos. 1 and 3 seeds in the regionals.

13. Towson

Last season: 12-4, unranked

After falling to Catonsville in last year's Class 3A North regional final, the Generals return five players to a squad that's already showing better intensity and drive than a year ago.

14. Loch Raven

Last season: 15-3, unranked

Last year's Class 2A state semifinalist should once again be a force in Baltimore County, led by senior hitter Kelly Moffett, a second-team All-County pick last season.

15. Maryvale

Last season: 17-3, unranked

After losing in last year's IAAM B Conference final, the Lions return all but two players, including All-Conference middle hitter Maggie Kosloski and setter Veronica Arnold.

Others considered -- Bryn Mawr (17-3, No. 11), Havre de Grace (17-3, No. 13), Poly (16-2, unranked), Severna Park (11-5, unranked), South River (12-5, unranked)