BUTLER TWP - The Butler County Community College women's volleyball team is used to winning.

The Pioneers just have to win in a different way this fall.

"Our lineup is much more balanced than it's been in the past," ninth-year coach Rob Snyder said. "Instead of having the dominant, go-to player and filling in around her, we have a bunch of pretty decent players who can do everything. We have a lot of flexibility."

Snyder is 128-70 in his career at BC3, 119-49 over the past six years. The Pioneers advanced to the NJCAA national tournament in 2002.

Last year's team finished 20-8 - ranked ninth in the National Junior College Athletic Association - and lost the district qualifier to Columbus (Ohio) State Community College.

Only three players return from last season: right-side hitter Shandy Gonzalez from Antilles, Puerto Rico, setter Sarah Morley from Portersville Christian and middle hitter Katie Jewart from Pine-Richland.

Three graduates from last year's team are now playing volleyball at four-year schools. Butler graduate Megan Smith is at Slippery Rock University while fellow Butler grad Heather Graham and Seneca Valley graduate Nichole Sebastian are at La Roche College.

Statistically, Gonzalez is the Pioneers' top returnee. She was third on the team with 126 kills, 259 digs and 47 aces.

Morley, who was an outside hitter last season, led the squad with 315 digs and will be the Pioneers' primary setter. She had 32 aces as well.

"Being the setter, Sarah needs to be the leader," Snyder said. "That can be awkward for a returning player who didn't have that role her first year."

Freshmen on the squad this year are 5-foot-8 outside hitter Katherine Smith of Butler, 6-1 middle hitter Heather Hartman of Mars, 5-8 outside hitter Tiffany Norbert of Union-Rimersburg, 5-7 right side hitter Krista Ebner of Kittanning and 5-10 middle hitter Autumn Burke of Franklin.

Neither Smith nor Hartman played volleyball in high school last year.

"Katherine is a tremendous athlete who will upgrade our front row," Snyder said. "She is a powerful outside hitter. Heather gives us size, she's an excellent passer and she can serve.

"Tiffany has potential, though girls coming from smaller schools have to get used to a different style of play. But she'll adjust," he added.

Snyder's assistant coach this season is Caryn Azure from Wisconsin, a 24-year-old student who hoped to play for BC3 but has already used two years of eligibility.

Azure plans to play for a four-year school next year.

"She's a very good player and she's someone I can use on the court to work with the girls and conduct practice," Snyder said. "Having Caryn around is a big plus.

"This team has a chance to be as good as last year's. I've never had a team this talented from players one through eight."

BC3's next home game is at 6 p.m. Wednesday vs. the Community College of Beaver County.