BASTROP LADY BEARS
Head coach: Christy Donaldson
Years at Bastrop: 3
Assistant coaches: Melissa Penny, Adrienne Gibson, Tricia Cross
2009 record: 12-21, 3-11 (7th)
District: 16-4A
Last playoff appearance: n/a
Last district title: n/a
Returning starters: 3
Returning lettermen: 5
Key returnees: Raven Barnett, Rachel Clardy, Hillari Raemsch, Maci Lott
Key losses: Sydney Wilhelm, Anna Waxman
Key newcomers: Claire Goertz (So.), Addison Semer (Fr.), Kayla Bartsch (So.)
Team strength: Leadership, height and versatility
Biggest hurdle: New opponents in a new district that are unknown
Key to success: Quickly finding a team leader to replace Sydney Wilhelm’s leadership.
Comment: Coach Donaldson must face the daunting task of replacing an all-state player (Sydney Wilhelm). Look for Maci Lott to have a breakout season with the help of talented setter Rachel Clardy. Raven Barnett returns and could also have a significant role in the offense. Hillari Raemsch could also see a breakout season as she moves to more of a middle blocker role, one in which she saw the most success in 2009.

ELGIN LADY CATS
Head coach: Hollie Smith-Huston
Years at Elgin: 3
Assistant coaches: Amanda Wolf, Cristy Haynes
2009 record: 32-15, 11-1 (1st)
District: 16-4A
Last playoff appearance: 2009
Last district title: 2009
Returning starters: 4
Returning lettermen: 8
Key returnees: Ashley Frederick, Kelsey Markham, Shelbi Swenson, Kaci Olson, Hillary Adams
Key losses: Daniela Cervantes, Amanda Sorenson
Key newcomers: Kelsey Harkins, Lauren Slatton
Team strength: Outside game
Biggest hurdle: lack of height and leadership on the court
Key to success: Confidence and not letting the loss of Daniela Cervantes become an issue.
Comment: Elgin lost Central Texas’ leading server and its top two outside hitters. The good news is that the Lady Cats should be OK with the return of all-state libero Kaci Olson and a lot of experience on its front line. Shelbi Swenson and Hillary Adams, along with Ashley Frederick, combined for 543 kills and is the key to Elgin’s offense.

CEDAR CREEK LADY EAGLES
Head coach: Krystal Hacker
Years at Cedar Creek: 1st year
Assistant coaches: Traci Lowes
2009 record: n/a
District: Outlaw schedule
Last playoff appearance: n/a
Returning starters: 0
Returning
lettermen: 0
Key returnees: None
Key losses: None
Key newcomers: None listed
Team strength: Willingness to learn and coachability.
Biggest hurdle: Youth and inexperience
Key to success: Buying into Hacker’s system and focusing on getting better rather than wins and losses.
Comment: When Cedar Creek opens the season on Tuesday, the Lady Eagles will be the only fall team sport competing on the varsity level. This season will not be about wins and losses, but about building a culture and tradition, Hacker said. Cedar Creek is playing an outlaw varsity schedule to prepare for their first varsity season in District 16-4A in 2011.

SMITHVILLE LADY TIGERS
Head coach: Kimberly Paisley
Years at Smithville: 1st year
Assistant coaches: Holly Britain, Debbie Lueders
2009 record: 10-19, 2-8 (6th)
District: 23-5A
Last playoff appearance: n/a
Returning starters: 2
Returning lettermen: 5
Key returnees: Colline Morrell, Trina Deyo, Madison Hannusch, Natasha Brister, Hayli Kellar
Key losses: Kacie Hurta, Hilary Conn, Ariel Vinklarek
Key newcomer: Audrei Rodgers, Julia Kubicek
Team strength: height and defense
Biggest hurdle: Confidence and believing they can win.
Key to success: Utilizing players correctly and taking advantage of their height.
Comment: First-year coach Kimberly Paisley has a task in front of her as she leads a team that has seen three head coaches in as many years. Another task facing the new coach is finding a leader after the graduation of three quality seniors. Madison Hannusch looks to be the go-to player and with her height (6-foot-2), she could be a force on the outside and in the middle. Setters Trina Deyo and Colline Morrell will have the experience necessary to lead the offense. Libero Hayli Kellar returns and will be the anchor on defense.