AnnArbor.com's sixth of 10 fall sports previews takes a look at Washtenaw County's volleyball teams.

Cassie Castro, (sr., L) Saline: One of only two returning AnnArbor.com Dream Team honorees from last year, Castro will anchor the defense for Saline. With a front row that’s a bit inexperienced, defense will be that much more important for the Hornets and Castro may be asked to improve on her team-leading 346 digs from last season. Castro also earned All-Region and All-Southeastern Conference Red Division honors last year.

Nya Greenstone, (sr., OH) Pioneer: The other returning member of the Dream Team, Greenstone leads what may be the area’s most experienced team. Pioneer returns eight seniors from last year. Greenstone led Pioneer to the district finals in 2009 and had a team-high 465 kills. Greenstone also earned All-Region and All-SEC Red honors last year.

Abby Koehler, (sr., OH) Whitmore Lake: A member of last year’s AnnArbor.com Class B-C-D First Team, Koehler had 289 kills last year and 314 digs for the Trojans while also leading at the service line with an 88 percent serve percentage and 46 aces. One in every eight serves resulted in an ace.

Emma Brann, (sr., MB) Pioneer: Returning from the AnnArbor.com Class A First Team, Brann was second on Pioneer in kills last year with 250 and served at nearly a 90-percent clip with 55 aces. She clogged the middle nicely with 27 solo blocks and 47 block assists.

CHELSEA BULLDOGS
The Bulldogs finished third in the SEC White last season and return a total of eight players this season. Coach Laura Cleveland still thinks her team is a bit inexperienced, but more kids played spring volleyball and that should pay dividends. Becoming more efficient offensively and passing well on serve-receive will be keys for Chelsea.

Coach: Laura Cleveland (11th year).
Last season: 18-26-3, third in the SEC White.
Key returners: Too early to tell.
Key newcomers: Too early to tell.
Strength: The Bulldogs have more experience than a year ago. The team should also be strong on the service line and feature a well-rounded offense.
Weakness: Serve reception.
Outlook: Chelsea’s chances to challenge for an SEC White crown will depend on how much its attacking serve-receive improve.
Coach Laura Cleveland says: “I still think we need to develop a bit of leadership as a team, and we’ve been working on that.”

DEXTER DREADNAUGHTS
The defending SEC White champs welcome one of their own back to the coaching chair. Erin (Cobler) Penn played for the Dreadnaughts from 1998-2002, leading the team to a berth in the Class B final four in 2001. She then went on to play for the University of Michigan. Penn took the team over just four weeks ago, so she’s still gathering info on her players. The Dreadnaughts do have to replace the reigning AnnArbor.com Player of the Year in Alison Krips and her 634 kills.

Coach: Erin Penn (1st year).
Last season: 39-13-5, SEC White champions.
Key returners: Serena Bidwell (sr., OH), Andrea Montoya (sr., S), Kelsey Neilman (sr., RS), Sydney Spicer (sr., OH/L), Olivia Cares (jr., MB), Caitlen Foote (jr., OH/L).
Key newcomers: Elle Presley (jr., S), Polly Washabaugh (jr., MB), Talia Wood (so., OH).
Strength: Athleticism, net play, six returning players.
Weakness: Inconsistency.
Outlook: Having not seen any of the other area teams play, Penn says it’s hard for her to predict how her team stacks up. “We’re athletic and know how to play the game,” she says. “We have a chance to go deep into the playoffs as long as we have the passion and drive for it.”
Coach Erin Penn says: “We're looking to defend our SEC title and continue deeper into the state playoffs. I’m looking for us to get better through the season and peak at the end of the season.”

FATHER GABRIEL RICHARD FIGHTING IRISH
Of all the teams in the area, the Irish, along with Greenhills, return the most players from last season. Coach Niki Fritzsch has nine players returning and says they are “in sync and know each other very well.” That level of comfort will help as the team will have to be solid defensively behind a relatively small front line, with no player taller than 5-foot-10.

Coach: Niki Fritzsch (5th year).
Last season: Made it to Catholic League playoffs, tied for fourth.
Key returners: Britt Kalmeta (sr., OH), Bella Gaeta (sr. MH), Carly Stevenson (jr., RH), Clare Laut (sr., S), Annemarie Fischer (jr., OH), Molly Geppner (sr., L), Libby Edwards (jr., MH), Sarah Kawsky (jr., DS), Katie Larin (sr., DS).
Key newcomers: Hannah Smith (so., OH/MH), Kathryn Abramoski (jr., DS).
Strength: Experience.
Weakness: Height.
Outlook: The team’s ultimate goal is to win districts and challenge the top teams in the Catholic League. With several tough tournaments on the schedule, the Irish will be battle tested come crunch time.
Coach Niki Fritzsch says: “I'm really excited about this season. We have a group of really amazing girls that are outstanding athletes.”

GREENHILLS GRYPHONS
Greenhills has a nine-member senior class. The amount of experience they bring should help the Gryphons improve on last season’s record. With a tough pre-conference schedule filled with matches against much larger schools, coach Tiffany Willard things two things could happen. Either the Gryphons improve by competing with the best, or get discouraged.

Coach: Tiffany Willard (10th year)
Last season: 3-18-2, finished fifth in the Michigan Independent Athletic Conference.
Key returners: Viggy Parr (sr., S), Lauren Zanger (sr., L), Katie Irani (jr., MH), Haley Schreier (sr., OH).
Key new contributors: Grace Langs (jr. DS), Liz Lusk (fr., OH).
Strength: Experience, attitude and passing.
Weakness: Lack of cohesiveness. Not because the Gryphons aren’t working well together, but with such a large team, Willard said it’s difficult to maintain team unity sometimes.
Outlook: If the second half of Willard’s scenario regarding their the tough non-conference schedule plays out, the Gryphons should improve on their fifth-place MIAC finish.
Coach Tiffany Willard says: “I told our seniors we will go as they do, and they last couple weeks they’ve been pushing people in practice. That healthy competition is what we need.”

HURON RIVER RATS
Like many of the teams in Washtenaw Country, Huron will start the year trying to replace a veteran lineup. The River Rats graduated eight players from last year’s team that nearly won 40 games. They do bring back setter Taylor Chick, named to the AnnArbor.com Class A honorable mention team. Senior Brionne Fonville gives Chick, who will also play right-side hitter this year, a versatile offensive weapon on the outside.

Coach: Toney Cummer (9th year)
Last season: 38-16-6.
Key returners: Brionne Fonville (sr., OH), Taylor Chick sr., S), Abby Levenduski (sr., DS), Sarah Jahnke (jr., MB).
Key newcomers: Cindy Ofili (jr., MB), Erica Hotchkiss (so., OH), Alyssa Miller (so., OH), Kelsey Aaronson (so., S/DS).
Strength: Ball control, serving.
Weakness: Inexperience.
Outlook: After breaking the Huron Record for wins in a season for the second consecutive year and graduating nine seniors, Huron will be rebuilding a bit this year.
Coach Cummer says: “The four players returning from last year's team will help to keep us playing at a high level. We'll be competitive in our conference and throughout our tournament schedule.”

MANCHESTER FLYING DUTCHMEN
Manchester is coming off the best record at the school since 1992, but has to replace 10 seniors in its lineup. Outside hitter Taylor Parks, the team’s lone senior, returns. Second year coach Sarah Andrew says setter Haley Cook is a good leader but has big shoes to fill. Andrew expects her team to spend the early portion of the schedule getting the kinks out and learning to play together.

Coach: Sarah Andrew (2nd year)
Last season: Finished fourth in the Cascades Conference.
Key returners: Taylor Parks (sr., OH).
Key newcomers: Halley Cook (sr., S), McKenna Erkfritz (so., MH), Kendra Waldron (jr., DS), Lauren Simonis (jr., DS).
Strength: Individual skill. The key, Andrew says, is getting those skills to work together as a team.
Weakness: Lack of varsity experience.
Outlook: Manchester will have its work cut out if it hopes to contend for the Cascades Conference title. Hanover-Horton has won nearly every conference tournament in the past 27 years.
Coach Sarah Andrew says: “We might be young but we’re definitely a force. We’re working diligently on getting the kids to work together. Team chemistry in volleyball is something you can’t do without.”

MILAN BIG REDS
Milan might have the largest chore in replacing players from last season. Not because this year’s team isn’t up to the task, but because five of the six Big Reds that graduated are playing collegiate volleyball at some level. The Big Reds will also have to live the first few weeks without starting outside hitter Jessica Hull, who suffered a leg injury during tryouts.

Coach: Beth Box (5th year)
Last season: 22-11-2 overall, 9-5-0 in the Huron League.
Key returners: Jessica Hull (sr., OH), Amelia Horton (sr., MB), Montgomery Grostick (sr., OH), Lauren Eisen (sr., OH), Leann Rizor (sr., DS).
Key newcomers: Nora Rittenhouse (so., S), Sydney Lammers (jr., S).
Strength: Desire to fill the big shoes left by last year’s seniors.
Weakness: Injuries, young setters and lack of varsity match experience.
Outlook: Box says a lot of what her team needs is just to get on the court and play. The team looks good in practice, she says, but a lot of learning happens on the court during live games and it’s hard to replicate that in practice.
Coach Beth Box says: “I’m hoping in the first half of the year they learn a lot. On the back half of the year I’d like to see more consistency and knowledge. It’s a growing season for us.”

PIONEER PIONEERS
Coach Amy Hoag returns eight seniors from last year’s team, making Pioneer one of the most experienced teams in the SEC. Outside hitter Nya Greenstone is one of only two players coming back from last season’s AnnArbor.com All-Washtenaw County Dream Team, and she’ll lead the charge for what is expected to be a powerful offense. Emma Brann will hold things down in the middle.

Coach: Amy Hoag (6th year)
Last season: 18-27-3 overall; 2-8 in the SEC.
Key returners: Emma Brann (sr., MH), Nya Greenstone (sr. OH), Chaeli Wantuck (sr., S), Alida Schat (sr., OH), Anne Pingel (jr., MH/RH).
Key Newcomers: Kaela VanTll (so., OH/MB).
Strengths: Power and experience. Pioneer played a tough schedule last year, so while its record may not have shown it, Hoag said it was a “very successful outcome.”
Weaknesses: Passing was a struggle last year for the Pioneers, so that will be a key focus early this season.
Outlook: Hoag says her players are prepared for a high level of competition and are hungry to win.
Coach Hoag says: “Given the talent, skill and athleticism of our varsity athletes, we should have a strong start and be competitive throughout the season.”

SALINE HORNETS
Saline took second in the SEC Red last year and returns one of the top players in the area, 2009 AnnArbor.com Dream Team member Cassie Castro, a senior libero, along with two other starters. Getting a consistent offense will be key for the Hornets, whose front row is a bit green. Senior Maria Shimones joins Castro in the back row and anchors what should be one of the strongest defenses in the league.

Coach: Lisa Shea (2nd year).
Last season: 36-17-1, second in the SEC Red.
Key returners: Cassie Castro (sr., L), Natalie Folk (sr., S), Marissa Owen (jr., S), Maria Shimones (sr. DS).
Key newcomers: Mackenzie Shand (so. MH), Ani Agbabian (fr., OH).
Strength: Defense and setting.
Weakness: Lack of experience in the front row generally along with unproven blocking and hitting.
Outlook: The Hornets’ have set a goal of winning the SEC Red, and it shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone if they accomplish it.
Coach Lisa Shea says: “I like the culture in the gym. I like how the team is gelling so far. They’re really wanting to work hard in practice.”

SKYLINE EAGLES
After two years of preparation, Skyline will play its first varsity season this year. Coach Janet Hinz has been at the helm since the school opened in 2008 and this year will take a roster of juniors, sophomores and a freshman through the school’s first SEC campaign. Juniors Maggie Halloran and Katie Austin will anchor what could, at times, be a dynamic offense.

Coach: Janet Hinz (1st year)
Last season: 37-17-4 as a junior varsity squad.
Key returners: Maggie Halloran (jr., MB), Katie Austin (jr., OH), Christy Frison (jr., L).
Key newcomers: Sophie Bolz (fr., OH), Hannah Christman (jr., S).
Strength: Work ethic and love of the game.
Weakness: Inexperience.
Outlook: Hinz admits her team might take some lumps throughout the season, but expects that the players will be able to learn from those experiences and grow from them.
Coach Janet Hinz says: “Competing at the varsity level with juniors, sophomores and one freshman will be a challenge but the girls are coming along nicely.”

WASHTENAW CHRISTIAN WILDCATS
Carly Day starts her first year at the helm of the Wildcats with a mix of returning talent and youth. The passing game will be critical for the Wildcats. They have the ability to put together a solid offense but if the team isn’t passing well, it will make it tough to get the ball to the hitters with any regularity.

Coach: Carly Day (1st year).
Last season: NA.
Key returners: Anna McTaggert (jr., S), Rachel Ballentyne (so., OH/MH), Gabby Hickmon (jr., OH/MH), Kayla Taylor (sr., OH/MH), Hannah Britton (jr., OH), Katherine Koller (fr., DS).
Key newcomers: London Anderson (fr., S/DS), Lyndsey Clements (fr., OH/MH), Justine Thomas (fr., OH/MH).
Strength: Leadership, athleticism and energy.
Weakness: Lack of offensive consistency.
Outlook: We’ve spent a lot of time on our passing skills,” Day said. “Limiting the other teams’ runs is a key. If we can do that we’ll be successful.”
Coach Day says: “The mix of ages works well at a school our size. The kids know each other really well already and it helps get us past that time where teammates don’t know what one another will do on the court.”

WHITMORE LAKE TROJANS
Whitmore Lake returns two players from last season’s AnnArbor.com Class B-C-D First Team: senior libero Samantha Nied and senior outside hitter Abby Koehler. The Trojans will be among the more experienced teams in the area, with a solid core of seniors leading the way.

Coach: Kathy Coleman (11th year).
Last season: 25-10, 11-3 in the Tri-County Conference.
Key returners: Alyssa Clair (sr., S), Abby Koehler (sr., OH), Samantha Nied (sr., L), Jessica Spiegelberg (sr., MB).
Key newcomers: Tricia Harbut (sr., OH), Samantha Ireman (jr., OH), Justine Spiegelberg (jr., MB).
Strength: Returning experience, including four starters.
Weakness: Inconsistency while trying to fill the remaining open spots.
Outlook: Whitmore Lake should again challenge for the Tri-County title. It’s been the Trojans or Clinton for the past three years.
Coach Kathy Coleman says: “I’d like to be a bit further ahead than we are, but I’m very tough on teams early in the season and our expectations are high.”

WILLOW RUN FLYERS
Hillary Edwards has a lot of familiarity with her team despite this being her first year as the Flyers’ varsity head coach. She had been coaching at the middle school level at Willow Run for the past several years, and her juniors and seniors this year are kids she coached in seventh and eighth grade.

Coach: Hillary Edwards (1st year)
Last season: Eliminated in first match of districts.
Key returners: Chelsea Chapman (sr., MH), Lisa Hammonds (sr., L), Briana Jenkins (sr., RS), Katie Mullins (sr., S), Jaime Rhodes (sr., OH).
Key newcomers: Whitney Rich (sr., OH).
Strength: Lot of hitters on the team. Passing.
Weakness: Lack of height.
Outlook: Despite not being in a league since the Michigan Mega Conference folded, the Flyers will see many of the same teams they have in the past. Edwards thinks her team should do well in those games. The early-season schedule is tougher, but Edwards is looking to finish above .500 this season.
Coach Hillary Edwards says: “I think this is one of the better teams we’ve had in some time. They’ve been playing together for a long time and they have a good chemistry together.”

YPSILANTI PHOENIX
Ypsilanti is in the process of rebuilding its program. Coach Andy Castle knows the team has a lot of work ahead of it, but he feels he’s getting great support from parents and administrators at Ypsilanti. The Phoenix will be a young and fairly inexperienced group in 2010, but have senior setter Kelli Muse and senior middle blocker Tyler Richardson to usher along the younger players.

Coach: Andy Castle (2nd year)
Last season: 11-23-9 overall, 2-8 SEC White, fifth place.
Key returners: Kelli Muse (sr., S/DS), Tyler Richardson (sr., MB), Meagan Winkelseth (so., DS/S).
Key newcomers: Madison Castle (fr., S).
Strength: Conditioning and dedication.
Weakness: Lack of experience.
Outlook: The SEC is not an easy conference for a rebuilding team with few returners.
Coach Castle says: “I believe we will shock a few teams and we won’t be listed as an easy win on their schedule.”

Note: Preview information not available for Lincoln High School.