Port Angeles (2A)
■ Coach: Christine Halberg (fourth year)
■ Last year: 6-2 in Olympic League (third place), 14-9 overall; reached 2A state tournament (0-2)
■ Returning contributors: Kiah Jones (Sr., OH, 5-11), Emily Drake (Sr., S, 5-5), Darian Foley (Sr., MB, 6-0), Lauren Norton (Sr., S/OPP, 5-8), Danielle Rutherford (Sr., OH, 5-9), Autumn Ruddick (Sr., OPP, 5-11)
■ Top newcomers: Bailee Jones (So., MB, 5-10), Holli Williams (So., S/DS, 5-7)
■ Outlook: A year after making their first trip to state in 21 years, the Roughriders bring back six senior starters.
With several players adding a few new facets to their game this offseason — Emily Drake and Darian Foley both played some club ball in Edmonds with Kiah Jones — the Riders appear loaded for a run at a league title.
“We have six starters returning and a total of 10 athletes returning this year, and the girls are expecting to build upon their successes last year,” coach Halberg said. “They not only expect to play in postseason . . . but want to be the team to beat.
“The girls have the skills to accomplish their goals, so their major focus needs to be on their team unity, team trust and commitment to each other.”
Sequim (2A)
■ Coach: Jennie Webber-Heilman (18th year)
■ Last year: 7-1 in Olympic League (second), 11-5 overall; reached 2A state tournament (0-2)
■ Returning contributors: Taylor Balkan (Jr., S), Haleigh Harrison (Jr., H), Kyla Martin (Sr., OPP), Rylleigh Zbaraschuk (Jr. OH/D), Hannah Hudson (So., OH/D), Katelynne McDaniels (Jr., MH), Marisser Haner (Sr., H)
■ Top newcomers: Alexas Besand (So., H), Emily Wallner (Fr., H), Bethany Jensen (Jr, D/OH)
■ Outlook: The Wolves have established themselves as a top-tier Olympic League team after taking second the past two years.
With the team returning seven varsity players — including setter-hitter combo Taylor Balkan and Haleigh Harrison — it should be near the top once again.
Coach Webber-Heilman said the team’s goal is to win a match at state, finish in the top two in league and top four at districts.
If they can focus in practice, improve on defense and serve-receive and have a consistent offense, she said those goals are attainable.
“We did not have very many girls playing in the offseason, so we are trying to work hard to make up for missing out on the court time,” Webber-Heilman said.
Port Townsend (1A)
■ Coach: Nettie Witheridge (third year)
■ Last year: 0-8 in Olympic League (ninth), 0-13 overall; missed playoffs
■ Returning contributors: Christine Unrue (Sr., S, 5-3), Ellie Forbes (Sr., L, 5-3)
■ Top newcomers: Abby McGuire (Fr., S/H, 5-6), Megan Juran (Fr., OH, 5-8), Megan Lee (Fr., DS, 5-2)
■ Outlook: It’s been a difficult climb back to playoff contention since the Redskins took second in league in 2008.
Following back-to-back losing seasons, including last year’s 0-13 campaign, the Redskins are looking to grow and build as a team.
With a pair of returning senior varsity players, they will be inexperienced.
Coach Witheridge said team chemistry and communication are keys to success.
Chimacum (1A)
■ Coach: Sally Dankert (second year)
■ Last year: 0-12 in Nisqually League (seventh), 4-12 overall; missed playoffs
■ Returning contributors: Krista Hathaway (Jr., MB, 5-10), Mallori Cossell (Jr., DS, 5-4), Megan Dukek (So., S, 5-5), Olivia Baird (So., OH, 5-6), Lauren Thacker (So., OH/MB, 5-9)
■ Top newcomers: Alyssa Gale (Sr., MB, 5-11), Sienna Madary (So., L/DS, 5-6), Kiersten Snyder (Fr., OH, 5-5)
■ Outlook: The Cowboys have some stability at the top with coach Dankert returning for a second year.
The varsity returns five significant contributors from last year’s team, and has added a couple of talented transfers in the Gale twins. The goal is to improve on last year’s showing in league.
“So far the team’s looking good,” Dankert said. “I feel fortunate to have a lot of talented girls playing.”
Forks (1A)
■ Coach: Jennifer Neel (fourth year)
■ Last year: 6-8 in league (fifth); missed playoffs
■ Returning contributors: Jillian Raben (Jr., S), Casey Williams (Jr., H), Bridget Osborn (Sr., L)
■ Top newcomers: Erin Weekes (So., OH), Courtnie Paul (So., OH), Karlee Hansen (Jr., OH)
■ Outlook: The Spartans fell one spot out of the playoffs last season, ending a string of 12 straight years in the postseason.
Coach Neel’s expectation is to get another playoff streak going.
As long as the Spartans “trust each other, work together, work hard and stay focused on our goal,” that will happen, Neel said.
Quilcene (1B)
■ Coach: Julie Canterbury (second straight year, sixth overall)
■ Last year: 2-5 in 1B Sea-Tac League, 3-13 overall; missed playoffs
■ Returning contributors: Lacey Thompson (Sr.), Sophia Knutzen (So.), Samantha Rae (Fr.), Savannah Drew (Fr.)
■ Top newcomers: Emily Ward (8th), Celsea Hughes (So.), Andrea Perez (Jr.)
■ Outlook: In the first year of her rebuilding project, coach Canterbury got the Rangers to win as many games in one season (3) as they had in the previous three combined.
The Rangers now have enough players in the program to field varsity and junior varsity teams. That’s good news for the future of Quilcene volleyball.
“My expectation is to do well this season,” coach Canterbury said. “We have a lot of talent and the ladies are teachable and able to learn quickly. They have positive attitudes and work hard to better themselves every day.”
Neah Bay (1B)
■ Coach: Sharon Kanichy (second year).
■ Last year: 5-1 in NOL (first), 9-5 overall; reached 1B state tournament (0-2)
■ Returning contributors: Rebecca Thompson (Sr., S, 5-6), Courtney Winck (Sr., MB, 5-7)
■ Top newcomers: Hailey Greene (Fr., L, 5-6).
■ Outlook: The Red Devils hardly skipped a beat in Sharon Kanichy’s first year as coach, winning their second straight NOL title and reaching state.
This season they will be going for their fifth state tournament appearance in six years, with the senior duo of Rebecca Thompson and Courtney Winck leading the way.
Crescent (1B)
■ Coach: Alex Baker (13th year)
■ Last year: 4-2 in NOL (second), 10-6 overall; reached 1B state tournament (0-2)
■ Returning contributors: Bonny Hazelett (Jr., OH, 5-4), Jandi Franz (Jr., MH, 5-9), Racheal Bowen (Sr., S, 5-2)
■ Top newcomers: Shannon Williams (Fr., MH, 5-10), Devanie Cristie (So., OH/S, 5-2), Teya Williams (So, S/OH, 5-2)
■ Outlook: The Loggers, once the unquestioned leaders of the NOL, are fighting to regain their title this fall.
After finishing second to Neah Bay the past two seasons, the Loggers are stocked with a mix of experienced and up-and-coming players.
“We believe that Crescent should be able to compete for the top two berths to the state tournament out of our tri-district tournament,” said coach Baker, whose Loggers have reached state five straight years.
“This group of young ladies has a commitment to defense and a work ethic to broaden our offense so that we will be able to compete at the state level with a shorter, faster team.”
Clallam Bay (1B)
■ Coach: Cheryl Erickson (first year).
■ Last year: 0-6 in NOL (third), 3-9 overall; missed playoffs.
■ Returning contributors: Melissa Willis (Sr., MH/S, 5-10), Jamie Parker (Sr., BR, 5-5), Gloria Ojeda (Sr., OH), Kersten Sauve (Sr., OH, 5-6), Jazzmine Randall (Jr., MH, 5-7), Inga Erickson (Fr., S, 5-6), Hannah Larrechea (Fr., H, 5-6), Kyla Wilson (Fr., OH, 5-5), Kenna Welever (Fr., OH, 5-6), Jeddie Herdon (Fr., BR, 5-4)
■ Top newcomers: Brianna Foulkes (Jr., L, 5-4)
■ Outlook: The Bruins retained all but one player from last season, including 2010 NOL defensive player of the year Melissa Willis.
Coach Erickson took over the program before the season and has been getting help from community members in practices as Clallam Bay attempts to challenge Neah Bay and Crescent.
“I think we might just surprise them,” coach Erickson said. “We have four girls that have played together for a while, and the rest of them are young.
“We’re still in a learning stage, but I’m optimistic.”