BUTLER TWP — Rob Snyder knows volleyball. In time, his Butler County Community College players do, too.

He personally sees to it.

The Pioneers open their 2013 season Saturday when they host their own tournament at 9 a.m.

“Every year, I expect to win everything,” said Snyder, entering his 15th year as BC3 coach. “It’s my job to get the team ready to do that.”

After taking three years off, Snyder retook the BC3 coaching reins in 2009. His teams are 82-28 over the past four seasons.

Snyder’s overall coaching record in Pioneer volleyball features a 260-107 won-loss record, six Region XX titles and two appearances in the NJCAA national tournament.

This year, all but one of his players — freshman middle hitter Ashlynn Bashline of Kittanning — hails from Butler County.

“We love to get volleyball players locally and I wish there were more,” Snyder said. “Often times, we bring in athletes who played other sports and acclimate them to volleyball.

“As a result, we jell and improve quickly as the season goes on. I expect that to be the case this year.”

Sophomore setter Makenzie Huey of Butler stands 5-foot-6 and played outside hitter last season. Fellow sophomore Jennifer Barry of Butler plays basketball, but also joined the volleyball squad. She is a 5-9 opposite hitter.

Couple them with 5-8 sophomore outside hitter Mariah Clark from Moniteau and Snyder has his team leaders.

“Those are the three,” Snyder said. “We don’t have a lot of experience going into this year and I’m counting on them to lead the way early.

“Huey was playing out of position for us last year because we needed her there. Setter’s more natural to her and she’ll be one of the best setters in our conference. Barry has adapted to the game and should be strong for us.”

The Pioneers finished 19-7 last year, losing the conference title by two points to Potomac State.

Gabby Bottles and Maria Soldner, both from Butler, are the only other sophomores on the BC3 roster. The team will be counting on seven freshmen.

Along with Bashline, they include libero Alexis Linamen from A-C Valley, defenders Kelsey Anderson and Alex Kerr from Moniteau, outside hitter Heather Straynick from Butler, setter Leah McGuire from Karns City and 5-11 middle hitter Aubrey Schmeider from Butler.

“Linamen at libero and Straynick on the outside will be solid players,” Snyder said. “McGuire will be a rotation player and help out at setter.

“Our big project this year is Aubrey Schmeider. She was a softball player for Butler and is a very good athlete. We’re inexperienced in the middle and as she continues to progress, she’ll be a big help there.”

Two of Snyder’s players from last year — Julia Kleinfelder from Knoch and Christina Farmer from Butler — are back as assistant coaches this year. Stephanie Eagal, a Pioneer volleyball player in 2011, is also on the staff.