Division: I
Coach: Jonathan Flower (6th year)
Last year: 16-4, reached quarterfinals
Returning Starters: Caitlyn Shea, sr.; Lauren Hatch, sr.; Rebekah Jauhola-Straight, sr.; Maria Wimpey, jr.; Brenna Vandersea, jr.
Top newcomers: Paige Weatherbee, so.; Mia Harmon, so.
Outlook: After finishing the regular season in third place and making a run to the quarterfinals, the Tide should be competitive again this season.
“It is a fairly well balanced team with competent passing skills and explosive offensive abilities,” Coach Flower said. “The level of play in New Hampshire has risen dramatically in the last several years.”
The Tide returns five players from last season, including Shea and Hatch, who are approaching school records in assists (Shea) and kills (Hatch) and are among the top players in the state. For the newcomers, Weatherbee is a strong scrappy defender, while Harmon has the challenge of replacing Samantha Turner in the middle hitter position.
Teams to beat: “This is difficult to predict this season. Several dominant players in the state graduated last year so the field is more open than usual. There are some consistently strong teams who will probably be strong again (including) Pinkerton, Spaulding, Hollis-Brookline, Nashua North, Dover and Goffstown.”
Division: II
Coach: Jeff McClellan (3rd year)
Last year: 11-6, reached first round
Returning Starters: Cassidy Bechtle, sr., OH; Hannah Chartier, jr., OH; Cassidy Gilman, sr., M/OH; Haley Philibotte, jr., OH; Nicole Yelle, jr., S
Top newcomers: Jillian Douzanis, jr., OH; Sara Medvetz, jr., L; Sarah Wagner, jr., MH
Outlook: With a solid core of returning starters and many other players with varsity experience, the Generals are looking to maintain last season’s regular season record, host a playoff game and make a deeper run in the playoffs.
“We have depth at every position which will be key for any success throughout the season. This is a great group of young ladies who are dedicated to volleyball and each other. I believe with all of the off season work and dedication that each and every player put in, that we will be a strong and very competitive team,” said Coach McClellan.
Teams to beat: Gilford, Windham, Coe-Brown, Portsmouth
Division: III
Coach: John Rodgers (1st year)
Last year: 6-11, reached first round
Returning Starters: Emily Laflam, sr., S/OH; Shannon Davies, sr., MH/B; Sam Lugar, sr., DS; Lindsey Huckins, sr., RH; Jordyn Lavallee, jr., OH; Amber Lemay, jr., OH; Morgan Ferguson, so., L;
Top newcomers: Keagan Berry, jr., MH/B; Chantelle Martin, so., RS/S; Jenny Joyce, so., RS; Arianna Janosz, so., OH; Tatum Hartford, so., L; Rebecca Camire, fr., S/DS
Outlook: With seven returning starters, expectations are high for the Raiders this season.
“Coming into this program, I’m very enthusiastic about the season and the post-season outcome,” first-year Coach Rodgers said. “The girls and I are jelling very well and (the team) is working hard to prove they will be a top team to beat. Our motto is ‘together fight, together win.’ ”
Teams to beat: Winnisquam, Nute, Mascenic, Sunapee, Prospect Mountain
Division: III
Coach: Stephanie Shepard (5th year)
Last year: 4-13, reached first round
Returning Starters: Courtney Schuster, sr.; Brianna Judkins, sr.; Michayla Sharlow, sr.; Lexy Lynch, jr.; Sydney Ericson, jr.; Sarah Sorette, so.; Mackinley Goldthwaite, sr.
Top newcomers: Addison Granger, jr.; Fayth Kaspszak, fr.
Outlook: The Golden Tornadoes return an experienced, cohesive and skilled team, especially on the defense. The focus so far this season has been improving their offense.
“We have strong, returning players that will anchor and help support our new players,” Coach Shepard said.
Teams to beat: Sunapee, Winnisquam
Hillsboro-Deering
Division: III
Coaches: Nicole LaRoche and Shannon Synan (2nd year)
Last year: 2-14, did not make tournament
Returning Starters: Amy Albert, sr., OH; Catherine Montanez, jr., OH; Nicole Mooney, sr., RS; Kaelyn Snair, jr., MH; Kristina Stevens, sr., MH; Kayleigh Sigman, sr., L/OH; Sarah Sewall, sr., OH
Top newcomers: Eva Evans, jr., S
Outlook: The Hillcats return seven starters from last year’s squad and are strengthened by some exciting new talent.
“We look forward to picking up where we left off last season and building on the skills we strengthened,” Coach Synan said.
Teams to beat: Campbell, Winnisquam
Division: III
Coach: Paul Strickhart (6th year)
Last year: 0-16, did not make tournament
Returning Starters: Arianna Cyr, jr, OH; Emily Dunagin, jr., OH; Emma Smith, jr. S
Outlook: The entire Panthers squad returns from last year’s team, but still fields one of the youngest teams in the division, including several middle schoolers who could take the court as starters.
The Panthers, however, are another year more experienced and have three junior starters after not having any players who were older than sophomores last season.
“We’re hoping by mid-year to be competitive. It’s on-the-job training (for the middle school players),” said Coach Strickhart, who has been working with many of his players since they were in sixth grade. “We’re building on what they learned last year.”
The Panthers have finished 0-16 in the past two seasons.
Teams to beat: Sunapee, Campbell, Nute
Division: III
Coach: Mike Livernois (21st year)
Last year: 16-4, D-III runner-up
Returning Starters: Aubrey St. Onge, so., DS; Talia DeBlasie, so., S; Shannon Goodwin, so., OH; Nicole Matcheski, sr., OH; Rebekah Persson, so., DS
Top newcomers: Maddy Skeats, jr., OH; Olivia Doubleday, jr., OH; Meghan Harmon, fr., OH; Gabby Isabelle, fr., OH; Kerry Boyle, sr., DS
Outlook: The Bears graduated six seniors from last season’s D-III runner-up team, including Player of the Year Marissa DeBlasie and Second Team All-State selection Lindsay Raymond. However, many of the other top teams in the division also graduated top players, so the Bears still expect to be competitive despite it being a rebuilding season. In addition to five players returning from last season, the Bears are bolstered by the return of senior defensive specialist Kerry Boyle, who missed last season due to an injury.
Talia DeBlasie returns as the starting setter and will set to Goodwin, Harmon, Matcheski, Skeats and Isabelle. St. Onge moves from the setter position to defensive specialist, while Persson returns experience and skill on serving and defense. Harmon, a 5-11 freshman, will be the main hitting and blocking force at the net, filling in for last year’s main target Jaila Remillard.
“While this is a rebuilding year, I am pleased with the way the team is coming together. … The girls are really working on passing and learning how to play together as a team,” Coach Livernois said.
Teams to beat: Nute, Moultonborough, Inter-Lakes, Belmont