It looks like Hopewell-Loudon and Van Buren may be the teams to beat again this season in the Midland Athletic League and Blanchard Valley Conference respectively.
Hopewell-Loudon is already off to a strong start as the Chieftains scored a four-game win over a periennially strong big school program in Tiffin Columbian on Saturday.
Coach Erin Dircksen begins her fourth season in charge of the program with an outstanding 82-10 overall record.
She has plenty of talent returning but did lose a trio of solid players in MAL player of the year Brittany Egbert, Brianna Richey and Mary Ellen McAllister to graduation.
Senior middle hitter Meghan Scherger is back after earning all-conference honors for the Chieftains in 2009. Seniors Maggie Yost and Jess Livesay return along with juniors Jess Dull, Alicia Frank and Eva Tanner.
Look for Lakota, Mohawk and New Riegel to play a key role in the Midland Athletic League this season.
Van Buren won its first BVC volleyball title in more than 20 years last season and the Black Knights are loaded up and ready to defend.
Coach Mark Bunn has much of last year’s team returning including senior outside hitter Rachel Adolph and junior Kaitlyn Endicott, who earned first and second team all-BVC honors respectively last season.
Seniors Taylor Miller, Jessica Borsay and Callie Bays and junior Sara Roth also return for the Black Knights.
It should be a very competitive year in the BVC as Arlington, McComb and Pandora-Gilboa all appear primed for solid seasons.
Ada
HEAD COACH: Brittany Insley (1st year).
2009 RECORD: 4-17 overall, 1-8 Northwest Conference.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Kenzie Fell, jr., MH; Moriah Rouch, sr., RH/OH; Taylor McInturf, sr., RH; Tabbi Jolliff, jr., OH; LIndsey Simmons, jr., L.
TOP PROSPECTS: Taylor Willeke, soph., OH/MH.
NOTABLE: Insley is Ada's third coach in three seasona and she's looking to see improvement from her Bulldogs this season, especially in conference play.
Arcadia
HEAD COACH: Dana From (2nd year, 4-18).
2009 RECORD: 4-18 overall, 0-9 Blanchard Valley Conference.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Allie Dauterman, sr., MH; Rachelle Palmer, sr., MH; Anna Sopher, sr., WH; Mandy Minard, sr., WH; Miranda Palmer, soph., S.
TOP PROSPECTS: Madison Stuby, soph., OH; Regina Fox, soph., L: Madie Ramsey, fr., S; Rebecca Kirian, fr., OH.
NOTABLE: The Redskins are looking for vast improvement in From's second season as head coach. Dauterman and Palmer should be solid hitting the ball in the middle this fall.
Arlington
HEAD COACH: Diana Inbody (2nd year, 15-6).
2009 RECORD: 15-6 overall, 8-1 Blanchard Valley Conference.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Tina Brunswick, sr., S/RH; Mackenzie Heacock, sr., RS/OH; Jordan Drerup, sr., OH; Amelia Recker, jr., MH; Alivia Recker, jr., RH/OH; Taylor Beck, sr., RH.
TOP PROSPECTS: Elisabeth Helms, jr., OH; Jessica Hunter, jr., S/DS; Adrienne Shepard, soph., MH; Abby Solt, jr., DS.
NOTABLE: Arlington looks to be primed at a run for the Blanchard Valley Conference title after finishing second to Van Buren last season. Amelia Recker is the team's top returning hitter as she earned third-team all-conference honors in 2009.
Bettsville
HEAD COACH: Lindsey Hill (2nd year, 2-20).
2009 RECORD: 2-20 overall, 0-11 Midland Athletic League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Alyssa Dymond, sr., MH; Paige Cress, jr., S/OH; Tasha Kipps, jr., RH; Brianna Twigg, jr., DS; Brittany Koch, soph., S/OH.
TOP PROSPECTS: Morgan Haubert, sr., MH; Scarlet Strader, sr., MH; Katelyn Treschner, jr., MH; Miranda Bisson, soph., Taylor Traut, soph., DS; Abby Orwig, fr., DS; Morgan Stump, fr., OH; Macie Harvey, fr., OH.
NOTABLE: The Bobcats have enough girls to field a full junior varsity schedule this season.
Bluffton
HEAD COACH: Julie Hieronimus (4th year).
2009 RECORD: 12-11 overall, 4-5 Northwest Conference.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Alaina Bixel, jr., OH; Lindsey Buettner, jr., OH; Emily Buroker, sr., S; Jenna Buroker, jr., L; Shannon McKamey, sr., DS; Brittany Schroeder, sr., DS; Emily Wenger, sr., OH; Taylor Wenger, sr., MH; Mariah Welch, sr., MH.
TOP PROSPECTS: Paige Buroker, fr.
NOTABLE: Bluffton appears to be primed to improve on last season's 12-11 record with nine returning lettermen. Emily Buroker, Emily Wenger and Mariah Welch each earned Northwest Conference honorable mention honors.
Carey
HEAD COACH: Morgan Wentling (2nd year, 8-16).
2009 RECORD: 8-16 overall, 2-9 Midland Athletic League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Morgan Wentling, sr., S; Morgan Draper, sr., OH; Lauren Jacoby, sr., OH; Paige Roszman, jr., L; Bo Underwood, jr.; Hannah Tong, soph., MH.
TOP PROSPECTS: Shelby Seifert, fr., MH; Makenzie Wentling, fr., S; Audrey Hotelling, soph., DS.
NOTABLE: With strong senior captains and plenty of returning talent, the Blue Devils have high expectations in 2010.
Columbus Grove
HEAD COACH: Kelly Lepley (2nd year, 22-4).
2009 RECORD: 22-4 overall, 6-0 Putnam County League; 7-2 Northwest Conference.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Stephanie Etzkorn, sr., OH; Emily Karrhoff, sr., L; Rachael Stechschulte, sr., S/RH; Anna Ricker, jr., MH; Nicole Langhals, jr., S.
TOP PROSPECTS: Lisa Wynn, jr., MH; Nicole Stechschulte, jr., RS/OH; Riley Eversole, jr., OH/RH; Kelsey Fruchey, sr., DS/OH; Taylor Harmon, jr., DS.
NOTABLE: One of the area's traditional volleyball powers, Grove will again be a threat to win the PCL crown and should be in the thick of things in the NWC too.
Continental
HEAD COACH: Jaaci Carr (1st year).
2009 RECORD: Played JV schedule last season.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Erin Weisenburger, sr., MH.
TOP PROSPECTS: Alex Luttfring, sr., MH; Stephanie Burke, sr., MH; Marla Rayle, sr., OH; Krystle Prowant, soph., OH; Erica Fitzwater, fr., OH; Cailah Rickard, fr., S/OH; Tia Escamilla, fr., OH; Amber Sloan, fr., MH.
NOTABLE: Carr is trying to breathe new life into the volleyball program at Continental, which played only a junior varsity schedule in 2009 because of low numbers.
Cory-Rawson
HEAD COACH: Susan Rossman (4th year, 24-21).
2009 RECORD: 17-9 overall, 5-4 Blanchard Valley Conference.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Lauren Hector, sr., MH; Kayla Rossman, sr., OH; Tricia Flanigan, jr., MH; Courtney Ritter, jr., S; Kresana Ward, jr., L; Tessa Heitmeyer, soph., OH.
TOP PROSPECTS: Nicole Lawrence, sr., DS; Alexis Gauss, soph., RH; Jessie Ream, soph., RH/MH.
NOTABLE: Kayla Rossman and Lauren Hector have several school records within reach as the Hornets have enough returning firepower to challenge for the conference title this season.
Elmwood
HEAD COACH: Krissy Lotycz (2nd year).
2009 RECORD: 7-15 overall, 4-8 Suburban Lakes League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Amanda Peters, sr., MH; Sam Auchmuty, sr., S; Kati Bradford, sr., L/DS; Reagan Briggs, sr., MH; Staci Thomson, sr., OH/RH; Kori Reiser, jr., RH/OH; Brittany George, soph., OH/U.
TOP PROSPECTS: Mackenzie Stockfel, sr., DS; Nancy Paige Harrison, sr., DS/L; Sam Peters, jr., OH/RH; Marissa Swavel, fr., U/DS/L; Amanda Jones, fr., S/DS; Chelsie Schmitz, fr., DS/S; Courtney Thomson, soph., OH/RH.
NOTABLE: With seven seniors and a pair of freshmen on ther roster, Elmwood's lineup should be a blend of youth and experience. Amanda Peters will be a go-to player for Elmwood as she earned second-team all-SLL honors.
Fostoria
HEAD COACH: Heather Hill (1st year at Fostoria, 20-26).
2009 RECORD: 11-12 overall, 6-8 Northern Ohio League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Allyson Beechum, sr., OH; Katonya Lawson, sr., OH; Megan Manns, sr., L; Tiffany Jackson, sr., MH; Alexis Cain, sr., MH; Raina White, sr., RS; Sarah Hammer, sr., DS.
TOP PROSPECTS: Courtney Hall, jr., S.
NOTABLE: Fostoria should be in good shape to improve on last year's record. Seven seniors return including Katonya Lawson and Allyson Beechum, who earned first team and second team Northern Ohio League honors respectively.
Fostoria St. Wendelin
HEAD COACH: Stacey Taylor.
2009 RECORD: 15-9 overall, 6-5 Midland Athletic League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Veronica Peters, sr., S; Brittany Hargis, sr., DS; Stephanie Wagner, sr., H; Meghan St. Clair, sr., S/H; Katelyn Schiefer, sr., M/DS; Colleen Fondessy, soph., M.
TOP PROSPECTS: Erica Holman, sr., H; Lexie Digby, sr., M; Taylor Schreiner, jr., DS; Kendra Bechtel, jr., H/DS.
NOTABLE: It will be a rebuilding year for Fostoria St. Wendelin after losing six seniors off of last year's squad. With no standout, Taylor thinks this year's group of players has the potential to become an outstanding team that will work together in order to have success.
Hardin Northern
HEAD COACH: Ron Coleman (2nd year, 6-13).
2009 RECORD: 6-13 overall, 2-7 Blanchard Valley Conference.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Sarah Flinn, sr., OH; Grace Poling, sr., L; Peyton Bame, sr., DS; Taylor Spearman, sr., MH; Taylor Allen, soph., MH/DS; Olivia Sampson, jr., OPP; Lauren Hoffman, jr., MH; Chelsea Motter, sr., S; Shelby Stump, sr., OH.
TOP PROSPECTS: Rebecca McElree, soph., DS; London Crist, soph., OH; Carlie Stump, soph., MH.
NOTABLE: With nine returning players, Hardin Northern appears primed to improve on last season's 6-13 mark. Grace Poling returns as a second team Blanchard Valley Conference selection.
Hopewell-Loudon
HEAD COACH: Erin Dircksen (4th year, 82-10).
2009 RECORD: 26-2 overall, 11-0 Midland Athletic League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Meghan Scherger, sr., M; Maggie Yost, sr., OH/S; Jess Livesay, sr. DS; Jess Dull, jr., DS/S; Alicia Frank, jr., OH; Eva Tanner, jr., DS.
TOP PROSPECTS: Racquel Hossler, soph., DS/OH; Lauren Trumpler, soph., RS/S; Courtney Bums, fr., M.
NOTABLE: After losing only one regular season match and falling in the state semi-finals to eventual Division IV champion Marion Local, the Chieftains' return six lettermen. Expect Hopewell-Loudon to be a strong force in the Midland Athletic League and Northwest Ohio again this season.
Kalida
HEAD COACH: Jeremy Stober (13th year, 191-84).
2009 RECORD: 17-6 overall, 4-1 Putnam County League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Emily Turnwald, sr., S/OH; Brandi Mershman, jr., RH; Haley McIntyre, jr., MH; Halie Zenz, jr., S/OH.
TOP PROSPECTS: Jill Wehri, sr., RH/OH; Christy Ellerbrock, sr., DS; Julia Vandemark, soph., DS; Kayla Siefker, soph., MH; Amy Smith, soph., OH/RH; Andrea Bellmann, soph., MH; Elizabeth Turnwald, fr., OH.
NOTABLE: Kalida, which advanced the regional semi-finals, will be without six players lost to graduation. Senior setter/outside hitter Emily Turnwald is back after earning second team Putnam County League honors. If the team full of young players can gel as a group, the Wildcats will have a chance to win the balanced PCL.
Leipsic
HEAD COACH: Chelsea Rogers (1st year).
2009 RECORD: 8-15 overall, 5-4 Blanchard Valley Conference, 1-4 Putnam County League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Alyson Brecht, sr., MH/RS; Ashley Rieman, jr., MH/RS; Erin Schroeder, sr., RS; Olivia Brown, sr., DS; Santana Diaz, sr., DS/RS; Molly Ellerbrock, jr., DS/OH.
TOP PROSPECTS: Emily Gerten, jr., S/OH; Lyndsay Krinke, jr.
NOTABLE: In her first season at the helm, Chelsea Rogers will have a nice corps of seniors to build around. Molly Ellerbrock and Alyson Brecht were each honorable mention Blanchard Valley Conference performers.
Liberty-Benton
HEAD COACH: Cristy Gray (1st year).
2009 RECORD: 12-12 overall, 3-6 Blanchard Valley Conference.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Ashley Snider, sr., S; Merredeth Newman, sr., RS; Hanna Quinlan, jr., L; Kelsey Dager, jr., MH; Alyssa Gary, jr., OH.
TOP PROSPECTS: Rachel Myers, fr., OH/S.
NOTABLE: The Liberty-Benton volleyball roster has an interesting blend wih two seniors, five juniors, a sophomore and two freshmen.
Lakota
HEAD COACH: Brent Newell (3rd year).
2009 RECORD: 20-5 overall, 8-3 Midland Athletic League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Amy Gosche, sr., OH; Emily Hagen, sr., S; Sarah Timmons, sr., D; Kylie Podach, sr., MH; Jessica Hoffman, jr., OH; Morgan Lewis, jr., RH.
TOP PROSPECTS: Chelsea Bickford, sr., D; Kaela Wiseman, jr., RH; Abby Durst, jr., D; Danielle Chaffee, jr., MH.
NOTABLE: The Raiders could be one of the teams to beat in the MAL this season.
McComb
HEAD COACH: Leslie Kahle (7th year).
2009 RECORD: 18-6 overall, 7-2 Blanchard Valley Conference.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Jackie Leppelmeier, sr., OH; Devon Wilson, jr., S; Abbie Joy, jr., OH/MH; Hannah Bundy, soph., L; Becca Leppelmeier, soph., OH; Briana Herr, soph., MH.
TOP PROSPECTS: Emily Clymer, fr., OH/MH; Hailey Huffman, fr., OH/MH; Courtney Deans, jr., DS/L; Emma Sudlow, jr., OH; Brenna Dee, fr., OH/DS.
NOTABLE: McComb has a solid nucleus of returning players, although Jackie Leppelmeier is the lone senior on the roster.
Miller City
HEAD COACH: Cliff Koenig (7th season, 49-89).
2009 RECORD: 5-19 overall, 0-6 Putnam County League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Kara Vennekotter, sr., MH; Sarah Carpenter, sr., OH; Mindy Riepenhoff, sr., DS; Olivia Rump, sr., DS; Emily Doster, jr., S; Ali Lammers, jr., L; Courtney Niese, jr., OH; Toni Steffen, jr., MH.
TOP PROSPECTS: Samantha Michel, jr., S/DS; Taylor Niese, jr., MH; Bailey Dangler, soph., BH.
NOTABLE: Miller City, which returns five starters and eight letterwinners, will look to improve after a solid summer. Toni Steffan and Courtney Niese each slammed over 100 kills last season for the Wildcats.
New Riegel
HEAD COACH: Cindy Walerius (7th year, 97-43).
2009 RECORD: 20-3 overall, 9-2 Midland Athletic League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Emma Ladd, sr., MH; Shana Scherger, sr., L; Amber Mathias, sr., OH; Breanna Hanna, sr., MH; Paige Noftz, jr., S; Brooke Scherger, jr., S; Stacey Wank, jr., OH.
TOP PROSPECTS: Megan Mathias, jr., DS; Cassandra Acree, soph., DS; Lauren Ladd, fr., MH; Abby Cassidy, soph., OH.
NOTABLE: Ladd and Shana Scherger were all-conference performers for the Blue Jackets in 2009 and should put New Riegel in the thick of things in the MAL race this season.
North Baltimore
HEAD COACH: Chris North (first year).
2009 RECORD: 3-20 overall, 1-10 Midland Athletic League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Leona Euler, sr., MH; Ciara Hernandez, sr., OH; Mackenzie Carpenter, sr., DEF; Taylor Boyer, sr., L; Ashley Miller, sr., OH; Andrea Smith, sr., S/OH; Samantha Trimble, jr., S.
TOP PROSPECTS: Megan Wright, soph., MH; Ricci Emahiser, soph., OH; Tori Perez, sr., DS; Nicole Buchanan, sr., OH; Alyssa Pixley, sr., DS; Andrea Bankey, sr., DS; Ashley Quantic, sr., OH.
NOTABLE: North Baltimore will be very experience with 11 seniors on the roster. If they can all come together and accept their roles, Coach Chris North thinks the Tigers could be a much improved team.
Ottawa-Glandorf
HEAD COACH: Anne Ellerbrock (9th year, 220-59).
2009 RECORD: 17-8 overall, 8-1 Western Buckeye League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Hannah Kaufman, sr., L; Melissa Verhoff, sr., OH; Sara Basinger, sr., OH/S; Carrie Kaufman, sr., DS; Shannon Roof, sr., MH; Kari Schroeder, sr., RH; Jill Recker, jr., MH; Kelley Selhorst, soph., S.
TOP PROSPECTS: Michelle Ruhe, jr., MH; Constance Letso, jr., OH; Kristi Jerwers, soph., S; Samantha Maag, jr., OH/MH; Alyssa Ebbeskotte, jr., MH; Brooke Engard, jr., DS.
NOTABLE: The Titans have had an amazing run in Ellerbrock's tenure. Look for that trend to continue in 2010 as Kaufman, Basinger, Verhoff and Roof are all returning all-WBL performers.
Ottoville
HEAD COACH: Susan Jones (3rd year, 24-21).
2009 RECORD: 13-10 overall, 2-3 Putnam County League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Bridget Miller, sr., DS; Jamie Rieger, sr., OH/DS; Gayle Rayman, sr., RH; Tasha Kaufman, sr., S/OH; Megan Bendele, jr., M.
TOP PROSPECTS: Abby Siefker, soph., M; Tonya Kaufman, fr., OH/S; Kaitlyn Ditto, S.
NOTABLE: Tasha Kaufman is back for Ottoville after earning first team Putnam County League honors a season. She, along with three other returning seniors, will be expected to carry the load for the Big Green this year.
Pandora-Gilboa
HEAD COACH: Mark Williams (28th year).
2009 RECORD: 13-9 overall, 3-2 Putnam County League; 6-3 Blanchard Valley Conference.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Kristyn Hovest, sr., MH; Samantha Schmenk, sr., S; Connie Schulte, sr., MH; Megan Hovest, jr., OH; Ellie Braidic, jr., OH; Laura Nemire, jr., OH.
TOP PROSPECTS: Ciara Hovest, jr., S; Megan Verhoff, jr., OH; Rachel Kahle, jr., OH; Megan Maag, fr., OH; Vivian Nofziger, fr., S.
NOTABLE: The Rockets should be bouyed by the return of senior middle hitter Connie Schulte, who missed all of the 2009 season with an ACL injury.
Patrick Henry
HEAD COACH: Krissy Cheslock (5th year, 41-48).
2009 RECORD: 14-10 overall, 3-5 Northwest Ohio Athletic League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Jessie Moll. sr., S; Tori Meyer, sr., OH; Megan Michaelis, sr., MH; Katy Hammer, soph., DS/L.
TOP PROSPECTS: Kaitlyn Schrock, sr., DS; Emily Nagel, sr., OH; Mallory Michaelis, soph., RH; Morgan Thompson, sr., DS/OH; Maddie Jones, soph., S; Kayla Fintel, soph., L/DS; Kelsey Tietje,m soph., MH; Shelby Lederer, jr., OH/RS.
NOTABLE: Setting won't be a problem for the Patriots in 2010 as Meyer and Moll, the team's top setters, both return after earning all-league honors.
Riverdale
HEAD COACH: Jenny Young (2nd year, 17-7).
2009 RECORD: 17-7 overall, 11-3 North Central Conference.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Ashley Fox, sr., S; Mallorie Hicks, sr., OH; Lacey Kessler, sr., OH; Alyssa Humphrey, jr., L/DS; Lexa Kessler, jr., OH/DS; Karen Wise, jr., OH; Catlin Pauley, soph., MH; Brittany Wetherill, soph., MH.
TOP PROSPECTS: Hannah Frey, jr., OH; Heather Craine, jr., OH.
NOTABLE: With eight returning letterwinners, Riverdale seems poised to improve on its 17-7 2009 record.
Upper Sandusky
HEAD COACH: Matthew McConnaughey (2nd year).
2009 RECORD: 2-20 overall, 1-13 Northern Ohio League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Tileigh Johnson, sr., OH; Molly Ogden, sr., MH; Dominique Ebert, jr., L; Alex Cameron, soph., OH; Allison Snyder, soph., S.
TOP PROSPECTS: Tayler Daughenbaugh, jr., OH; Dani Gatchell, jr., DS/S; Alinda Rosvanis, jr., MH; Jorden Born, fr., MH; Taylor Graboski, fr., MH; Taylor King, fr., DS/S; Beth Ogden, fr., OH.
NOTABLE: With just two seniors on the roster, the Rams are building for the future with an eye on next season when the school moves from the NOL to the North Central Conference.
Van Buren
HEAD COACH: Mark Bunn (5th year, 66-32).
2009 RECORD: 18-7 overall, 9-0 Blanchard Valley Conference.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Rachel Adolph, sr., OH; Taylor Miller sr., LH; Jessica Borsani, sr., S; Callie Bays, sr., M; Sara Roth, jr., S; Kaitlyn Endicott, jr., DS.
TOP PROSPECTS: Sarah Benson, soph., OH; Elyse Anderbery, soph., MH.
NOTABLE: After winning the Blanchard Valley Conference in 2009, the Black Knights appear to be capable of more success this season. Rachel Adolph, who was a first team BVC and District 8 pick as well as a third team All-Ohio selection, and Jessica Borsani.
Vanlue
HEAD COACH: Sally Kloepfer (2nd year, 4-18).
2009 RECORD: 4-18 overall, 1-8 Blanchard Valley Conference.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Krista Wisner, sr., MH; Amber Kloepfer, sr., OH; Ashley Parsell, sr., DS; Emilee Reed, jr., L; Savannah Engard, jr., S; Logan Frey, soph., OH/MH.
TOP PROSPECTS: Kelsie Thomas, sr., RH/S; Melissa Hall, sr., D; Jessica Fletcher, jr., MH.
NOTABLE: Wisner and Kloepfer are back to lead the Wildcats after earning all-BVC honors last season.