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RICHLAND -- The volleyball season opened Tuesday with not only overhauled rosters but revamped leagues and conferences.
After a season with a 15-team CBBN schedule, the conference was separated into 4A and 3A divisions this season, with eight 3A schools and seven 4A schools.
"It worked out perfectly," said Southridge athletic director Ken Murray. "It was best to go into two divisions and we did it across the board with football and soccer. I think the best thing is schools are competing with other schools the same size, though some of the smaller schools have been some of the more competitive."
Richland, which finished second in the expanded CBBN last year behind Southridge at 12-2, will compete in the 4A division with Eisenhower, Walla Walla, Wenatchee, Moses Lake, Chiawana and Davis.
"The 3A/4A split has removed many of our traditional rivals -- the Kennewick high schools -- from our schedule," said Richland coach Bob Raidl. "It has also made it necessary for us to travel more to fill our schedule of 14 matches. I would expect Ike, Walla Walla and Wenatchee to be strong, as usual, and also Moses Lake should be a factor with Kayla Bernsen as a senior and the usual tenacious team defense that Coach (Amy) Utter demands of her players."
The Bombers return five starters from last year's team which finished 0-2 at the 4A state tournament, including outside hitter Chelsey Bettinson, who was a first-team all-state selection and has committed to Washington State University.
"I think that we will have a good serving team with many offensive weapons," Raidl said. "Our team had a taste of success making it to the state tournament in 2009. This year we would like to have more of an impact at the tournament."
Walla Walla returns nine players from last year's 8-6 squad, including seniors Stephanie Wilson (OH) and Madeline Jacobson (OH). The returning core also includes seven juniors.
"This group of girls are hard workers and competitors," said Blue Devils coach Audra Cummings. "We have a large junior class that has played together for many years."
Southridge, which won the CBBN title last year with a 13-1 record, also went to the 4A state tournament, finishing 0-2. The Suns will compete in the 3A division with Kamiakin, Kennewick, West Valley, Hanford, Eastmont, Pasco and Sunnyside.
Hanford, Sunnyside and West Valley split off at the end of the season and competed in separate district and regional tournaments, but this year they will have more competition for playoff spots.
The Suns lost outside hitter Heather Worley and middle hitter Meagan Doyle to graduation, but return first-team all-conference setter Andrea Smith.
Pasco, which finished 4-10 last year, lost eight seniors to graduation. The Bulldogs return starters Yessica Diaz (OH) and Sierra Linke (MH), with Kylie Iverson (MH), Laura Jensen (OH), Cameron Estes (S), Marisol Diaz (L) and Lindsey Scott (OH) joining the lineup.
Sunnyside won just one conference match last year, and the outlook doesn't look much more promising this season. The Grizzlies return four starters, but are young.
"We will be rebuilding the program with a number of young, dedicated athletes," said Pasco coach Kylee Sixkiller. "The kids worked hard during summer workouts and we are expecting great things from them this season."
At the 2A level, Grandview and Selah should be the teams to beat. The top three teams from the district tournament will compete at regionals with the 2A league from Spokane.
The Greyhounds, who went 12-1 in the CWAC South last year, return their entire starting lineup. They finished 0-2 at state, while Selah (13-0 in the North) placed fourth at state.
"We were pretty good last year and returning all your girls helps," said Grandview coach John LaFever. "Selah, Ellensburg and us should be the top teams, and I think Prosser will do pretty well, too."
The SCAC East should see some shuffling in the standings this year.
Royal, which went 12-0 in conference play and 1-2 at the 1A state tournament, graduated its entire starting lineup and returns just four lettermen.
Connell and Columbia-Burbank should figure into the mix. The Eagles went 9-3 last year and were 1-2 at state. The Coyotes were 8-4 and return seniors Hannah Pierce (OH), Hailey Butler (S) and Ashley Zuhlke (L).
"Our team strength this season will be our great senior leadership," said first-year Burbank coach Jolene Calzadillas. "Our weakness is that we are a young team and will have to rely on our young talent."
