2011 Girls Volleyball Preview

Aberdeen

Head coach: Brandi Barnes (first year)

2010 record: NA (Not available)

Top returners: Lakeia Hayden, Sr., (Setter); Brionna Jones, Jr., (Hitter); Jimmia McClusky, Jr., (Hitter); Destiny Cole, Sr., (Setter); Takiera "TK" Fowlkes, Sr., (Hitter)

Key newcomers: NA

Outlook: NA

Bel Air

Head coach: Tim Markland (fourth year)

2010 record: 7-12

Top returners: Amanda Rodriguez, So., (Setter); Jackie Deluise, Jr., (Hitter); Celeste Roland, So., (Hitter); Taylor Cole, Sr., (Hitter); Joanna Koutsouradis, Sr., (Defensive Specialist-DS); Jen Schofield, Jr., (Setter)

Key newcomers: Tia Williams, Jr., (Hitter); Rien Hachmann, So., (Utility Player); Alex Williams, Sr., (Hitter); Consuelo Ezcurra, Jr., (DS); Samantha Liberto, Jr., (DS); Kaila Gonzalez, Jr., (Hitter); Madi Bever, Jr., (Hitter); Kendall Daley, Jr., (Hitter)

Outlook: "The girls and I are very excited about the upcoming season. A lot of girls have worked hard in the off-season to improve their craft and it will be exciting to see if all the hard work has paid off," head coach Markland said. "Our focus will be to give 100 percent effort in our preparation at practice and give that same amount of effort in every match.

C. Milton Wright

Head coach: David Marzola (second year)

2010 record: 4-13

Top returners: Jessica Lucas, Sr., (Outside Hitter); Brianna Karukas, Sr., (Opposite); Kelsey Marzola, Sr., (Setter); Tori Smith, So., (Outside Hitter)

Key newcomers: Megan Bodovinac, Sr., (Middle Hitter); Alyssa Horton, Jr., (Setter); Jenna Buettner, Jr., (Defensive Specialist)

Outlook: This year's C. Milton Wright team is focused and looking forward to playing against schools in the Susquehanna Division. C. Milton Wright has eight returning players and three players up from Junior Varsity. This combined with two transfer players have this team ready to compete. Coach Marzola indicates the outlook is bright on paper; however, he realizes each player needs to take it up a notch for CMW to be competitive within the division.

Edgewood

Head coach: Debbie Basler (third year)

2010 record: 9-6

Top returners: Lauren Brown, Sr., (Middle Hitter); Alicia Grant, Sr., (Outside Hitter); Willie Austin, Sr., (Outside Hitter)

Key newcomers: Kelsey Swann, So., (Setter)

Outlook: "We have a lot of experience coming back. We look forward to a successful season that will be dominated by strong net play and hitting," head coach Basler said.

Fallston

Head coach: Alison Winaker (second year)

2010 record: 19-2

Top returners: Rachael Holehouse, Sr., (Outside); Anna Holehouse, So., (Libero); Emily Letke, Sr., (Opposite/Setter); Abby Claborn, Sr., (Setter/Opposite)

Key newcomers: Phoenix Ouffut, So., (Middle)

Outlook: "The 2011 team is looking strong and is eager to start playing," head coach Winaker said. "We have experienced leaders on the court and are working hard everyday in practice." The Cougars are defending Class 2A state champions.

Harford Tech

Head coach: Alison Leslie (third year)

2010 record: 4-10

Top returners: Marina Schmidt, Sr., (Setter); Samantha Clark, Sr., (Middle); Britni Barber, Sr., (Outside); Brittney Chavis, Jr., (Middle)

Key newcomers: Casey Pilar, Jr., (Outside)

Outlook: "This group has the potential to be a strong team," head coach Leslie said. "We have a majority of girls who are capable of playing in multiple positions, which is giving us more flexibility in our rotations as well as the ability to achieve more aggressive attacks on a consistent basis."

John Carroll

Head coach: Greg Cullison (25th year)

2010 record: 14-5

Top returners: Alissa Beuttner, Sr., (Opposite); Heather Dunn, Sr., (Outside Hitter); Elise Adamson, Jr., (Outside Hitter); Briana Lockhart, So., (Setter)

Key newcomers: Emily Soller, Sr., (Middle Blocker)

Outlook: "Despite losing three Seniors to graduation who accounted for 85 percent of our offense, we return our starting setter, opposite and middle blocker who has moved to outside hitter," head coach Cullison said. "Middle blocker, which was a big question mark at the beginning of the season, is beginning to show promise as our three newcomers grow more accustomed to that position. We also have several veteran returning players as well as newcomers eager to compete for the remaining offensive and defensive positions. We hope to remain competitive in the ever improving IAAM B conference. The Patriots are defending league and playoff champions.

North Harford

Head coach: Sheri Billings (second year)

2010 record: 13-2

Top returners: Emily Cunningham, Sr., (Middle Hitter); Morgan Knox, Sr., (Middle Hitter); Julua Berg, Sr., (Setter)

Key newcomers: Britney Fleming, Jr., (Outside Hitter)

Outlook: "The team works well together and with our strong returning players we want to win the Susquehanna Division this season," head coach Billings said.

Patterson Mill

Head coach: Hector Surita (first year)

2010 record: 4-12

Top returners: Angela Zalesak, Sr., (Setter); Carlee Lund, Sr., (Setter); Morgan Golec, Jr., (Outside Hitter); Gloria Marino, Sr., (Middle Blocker)

Key newcomers: Samantha Herman, Fr., (Outside Hitter); Qalea Ismail, Fr., (Middle Blocker)

Outlook: "We see huge growth from our players from last year. They are excited and have been working hard during the summer to have a successful season," assistant coach Holly Ismail said. "It is difficult changing a girls mindset to a winning one, but they all are believing in themselves and each other, and it starts with the thought. We are seeing improvements every day and expect the seniors to lead and the freshmen to make an immediate impact."