BUTLER TWP — Winning is nothing new to the Butler County Community College women’s volleyball team.

Coupling experience with that winning? Different story.

“This is the most experienced team I’ve brought back here in a number of years,” said coach Rob Snyder, who sports a 318-132 overall record in 18 years at the helm of the program.

The Pioneers finished 23-5 last season, winning the Region XX championship before losing to Lorain (Ohio) Community College in the district tournament.

“I’m usually the one who starts the season with lofty expectations, to keep pushing people up,” Snyder said. “We have so many players back that I shouldn’t have to do that this year.

“Our returners should fuel the rest of the team. I’m sure they realize what this team is capable of doing.”

The Pioneers have 12 players on the roster and Snyder said each will contribute on the court this season. Returning players who saw ample action last year are libero Belle Chiodo from Grove City, outside hitter Mary Romano from Seneca Valley, sophomore opposite hitter Baylee Verner from Butler, middle hitter Christina Davis from Ford City and outside hitter Bre Bedillion, a Cranberry Township resident from Eden Christian.

Another sophomore, outside hitter Cassie Berteotti of Mars, was injured all of last season.

“Romano and Verner are both 5-foot-11 and are long hitters,” Snyder said. “They really improved over last year and they’re good competitors.”

Another sophomore who will impact the Pioneers this fall is setter Brittney Bianco of Freeport, a Slippery University transfer. She will split time with freshman setter Kristen Webber from Keystone.

“Both of those girls will see time at setter,” Snyder said. “It’s a bonus to have two that can do the job there What’s also good is that Brittney can do other things on the court as well.

Lauren Wade, a defender from W.T. Woodson, rounds out the sophomores.

The other two freshmen on the squad are defender Kelley Kabay and middle hitter Autumn Rodgers from Butler.

“Autumn is a highly skilled player in the middle and Kelly is an outstanding defensive player. Both will help us,” Snyder said.

The coach said he hopes to establish a faster pace of play this season because of his experienced roster.

“I’m hoping to add a few more wrinkles, things I wouldn’t have time to teach a whole new team,” he said. “We have multi-skilled players who can do a lot of things and we want to take advantage of that.

“Make good passes, run quicker stuff, have plays where players cross each other ... That’s what we want to do.”

The season begins Saturday with the BC3 Early Bird Kickoff Tournament.Five teams — BC3, Jamestown (N.Y.) Junior College, Allegany (Md.), North Hampton Community College and Lehigh Carbon — will play a round-robin format beginning at 9 a.m.

“Our goal is always the same,” Snyder said. “Win the conference, win the region, get to the national tournament. We haven’t had success against the Ohio team in district play of late. Hopefully, that will change this year.”