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

It’s just getting harder to do.

BC3 athletic director Rob Snyder is in his 14th year as head coach of the Pioneers’ volleyball program. He’s won six conference, six state and six Region XX titles during his tenure.

“Our range of area from where to pull in players seems to be getting smaller and smaller,” Snyder said. “We’re looking at nearby high schools now — Butler, Slippery Rock, Knoch, Karns City ... that’s about it.”

Three players return from last year’s team that finished 21-5 and captured the Region XX title. Those players include middle hitter Christina Farmer from Butler, setter Jessica Prelec from Slippery Rock and middle hitter Julia Kleinfelder from Knoch.

Farmer was named MVP of the Pioneers’ first two tournaments this season — the Pioneer Early-Bird and the Alfred State (N.Y.) Tournament. BC3 won both tourneys and is off to a 9-1 start.

“Christina is only 5-foot-7, but she gets in there, gets after it and gets it done,” Snyder said. “We’re relying more on our defense this year as we don’t have the size and hitters up front we’re accustomed to having.

“Julia is our second-best hitter followed by Makenzie Huey (Butler). Makenzie would normally be a libero, but we need her up front.”

Huey stands 5-foot-6. Moniteau graduate Mariah Clark is the team’s other starting outside hitter. BC3’s libero is Bethany Eason, a freshman from Saline High School in Michigan. Eason is the lone non-county resident on the team.

Snyder praised the development of Butler graduate and former Tornado basketball player Jennifer Barry, a freshman playing volleyball for the first time.

“She’s really picked it up quickly,” Snyder said. “Jennifer is getting better and better and is solidifying the right side for us.”

Other players on the squad include sophomore outside hitter Morgan McElravy from Karns City, freshman outside hitter Gabby Bottles from Butler, sophomore defender Kayla Rockner from Karns City and freshman middle hitter Maria Soldner from Butler.

“It was difficult finding players this year,” Snyder said. “We only had six kids on the team at orientation. We had to search for potential volleyball players on campus.

“My goal is always to win every game we play. I know that’s not realistic. Potomac State offers scholarships and has dorms, so they can get players much easier than we can. We’ve always been able to play on a par with them, though, and hopefully that will continue.”