Just call it the year of the volleyball.

Several area high school volleyball teams are looking for big things in 2005.

Really big things.

Perhaps no two teams have higher hopes than Freeport and Grove City.

The Yellowjackets are coming off a 17-2 season a year ago in which their only two losses were to West Shamokin. With much of the team coming back, Freeport coach Tom Phillips is looking for - what else - big things.

Perhaps the only team that can derail Freeport is, well, Freeport.

"We can't get caught up in all the hype," Phillips said. "We have to keep our noses to the grindstone and keep working hard. We can't think that just because we show up to the gym, we're going to win.

"I don't see a whole lot of weaknesses, though."

Grove City coach Shawnee Denbow is familiar with teams with few weaknesses.

Several years ago, she had a state title contending team that came just short of PIAA gold.

This year, she believes she has a team that rivals that one.

"They're the type of team that I know we're going to go somewhere, I just don't know where it is going to stop," Denbow said. "This team, they leave me in amazement."

Freeport and Grove City are not alone. Teams like Butler, Knoch, Mars, slippery Rock, Union and Moniteau have playoff-caliber teams. And don't rule out Seneca Valley, a state semifinalist last year, even though its entire starting lineup graduated.

Following is a capsulated view of the area volleyball teams this season:

Coach: Meghan Lucas, third yearLast year: 8-6They're gone: Kala Schnur, Kelsey Rice, Ashley Huey, Brandi Welch, Jasmin MehelichThey're here: Abby Herrit (senior), Kelley Crater (senior), Amy Achesinski (junior), Yuki Schapher (junior), Emily Huey (junior), Katie Willison (sophomore), Samantha Harris (sophomore), Becky Smith (freshman), Stephanie Mock (freshman)Outlook: The Golden Tornado have made marked improvements each year since Lucas took over the program. She's looking for another step up this season."We have a young team, but they are very athletic," Lucas said. "I look for us to have a good year."

Coach: Heather Haff, third yearLast year: 16-3, state semifinalistThey're gone: Entire starting lineupThey're here: Chelsea Pavlik (senior), Danielle Diamond (senior)Outlook: After reaching the PIAA Class AAA semifinals a season ago, the Raiders were gutted by graduation losses.Yet Haff is optimistic this season."I'm real excited," Haff said. "I'm excited to see what we'll do. We're young and inexperienced and they are still getting to know each other."

Coach: Tom Phillips, fourth yearLast year: 17-2, second in the sectionThey're gone: Jen FairThey're here: Stephanie Leslie (senior), Dana Turley (senior), Katelyn McCurdy (senior), Marissa DeSalvo (senior), Kelly Acre (senior), Ashley Stover (junior), Anna Foust (junior)Outlook: Freeport lost just two matches last season, both to West Shamokin. This year, nothing appears to be in the Yellowjackets' way."I really think this is the strongest team I have had since I've been at Freeport," Phillips said.

Coach: Diane Geist, 19th yearLast year: Third in sectionThey're gone: Kariane Stuebgen, Bekah Ogershok, Jen Robinson, Amber Augustine, Kari PizerThey're here: Ashley Thrower (senior), Leanne Wiefling (junior), Carly Whisler (senior), Chelsea Vonrhein (senior), Zoe Hughes (sophomore), Kirsten Brant (sophomore), Ashlee Antoszyk (sophomore)Outlook: The Knights lost a slew of talent to graduation before last season, yet still managed to finish third in the section and advance to the playoffs.Most of that group is back, which has Knoch looking for a solid season in 2005."We have a pretty good sophomore and junior class," Geist said. "We're going to gun for the playoffs."

Coach: Karen Martini, fourth yearLast year: 16-5They're gone: Kelly Hartman, Rio FridayThey're here: Kelly Berry (senior), Lacey Beitler (senior), Alyssa Skoff (junior), Jodi Leopold (junior), Brooke Davidson (senior), Jess Schroeder (senior), Amy Brooks (senior), Meghan Kosar (senior), Jordan Bossong (senior)Outlook: The Planets are a deep and talented team coming off a co-section title."What I'm trying to create is a lot of depth," Martini said. "I probably have five girls who can play the middle-hitter spot and play it very well."

Coach: Greg Dugan, sixth yearLast year: 8-5 in the regionThey're gone: Sarah Yakima, Hilary Pritz, Jess KellyThey're here: Kristem Staugh (sophomore), Amy Siwik (senior), Erica Gabreski (senior), Cursty McClure (sophomore), Marlena Lipko (junior), Jessica Spicher (junior)Outlook: The Rockets have come together quickly in the preseason, beating Grove City in a scrimmage. That has Slippery Rock thinking of claiming the top spot in the region again."Our expectations are pretty high," Dugan said. "We're pretty confident right now. Anything can happen."

Coach: Shawnee Denbow, 15th yearLast year: 16-5, Region 5 championThey're gone: Alyssa Chutz, Liz Anderson, Ali Gomola, Megan LosassoThey're here: Sheila Ogden (senior), Kristen Kowalsky (senior), Carrie Barnes (junior), Sam Basler (junior), Jenna Kelly (junior), Ashley Patterson (junior), Logan Sanders (junior), Chelsea Harrison (junior)Outlook: The Eagles are primed for a long playoff run with a very deep and very quick team."I don't know if this is the best team I've ever had," Denbow said, "but it's the easiest to coach. This is a very well-rounded team."

Coach: Barry Divins, 12th yearLast year: Fourth in KSACThey're gone: Kara McCallThey're here: Nikki Davis (senior), Andrea Mortimer (senior), Kayla Hepler (senior), Alley Toven (senior), Janele Divins (junior), Tiffany Corle (junior), Danielle Painter (junior), Mackenzie Shirey (junior), Chrystal Kemery (junior)Outlook: The Damsels are loaded with talent and will be a major factor in the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference."I'm hoping to keep up with the neighbors," Divins said. "Every year your goal is to win the league. I just want to be in every match."

Coach:Alea Kennedy, second yearLast year:6-6They're gone:Ashley Kennedy, Sam Gladd, Melissa Ciochetto, Amy Randall, Danielle Patterson, Sarah Badges-Canning, Nicole Young, Emily GoettlerThey're here:Haley McFeaters (senior), Kristen Baronetski (senior), Amber Dillaman (senior), Kristi Costa (senior), Mandy Campbell (junior), Cassie Weist (junior), Kendra Hall (junior)Outlook:Kennedy took over a program that won just two games and led it to a .500 record. This year, Kennedy is looking to take things a step further."I'm expecting to at least make it to where we were last year," Kennedy said. "Their improvement and work ethic has been amazing."

Coach: Marcy Isacco, second yearLast year: 3-13They're gone: Julie Baptiste, Jen Morrow, Jenny Connor, Christy WallaceThey're here: Nicole Strohmyer (senior), Anna Bullman (senior), Laura Kepple (senior)Outlook: After going 0-32 the previous two seasons, the Gremlins won three matches last year and have a solid nucleus returning."I think it's going to be better," Isacco said. "They're a lot more meshed as a team already."

Coach: Stacey Thompson, first yearLast year: N/AThey're gone: N/AThey're here: 21 playersOutlook: There is no past as far as Thompson is concerned.The coach, who played in high school at Keystone, wants to know nothing about previous A-C Valley teams and sees her team as just that: a team, not a collection of individuals."I have 21 girls an they all have unique talents," Thompson said. "But they are a team. Volleyball is a team sport, not an individual one."