Call it the "Super Section."

The Butler, Seneca Valley, Mars and Knoch girls tennis teams find themselves right in the middle of it.

"They moved us back with the big wigs," said Seneca Valley coach JasonShorr.

It will be a cutthroat one with NorthAllegheny, Hampton, Pine-Richland and North Hills joining them.

There isn't a slouch in the group.

What may result is a team like Mars, which lost just one starter from a section-winning team, struggling simply to make the playoffs.

"It will definitely be a challenging season," said Mars coachMark Varlotta.

Seneca Valley has a slew of seniors returning, but that may not matter.

"I think this group will do very well as a Seneca team goes," Shorr said. "Compared to other Seneca Valley teams, compared to themselves, this will be a very good team. But in this section — it's going to be a difficult season."

Knoch is in the same boat with first-year coach Tom Gammell, who coaches the boys tennis team for the Knights.

"I know from coaching the boys how strong a section like that can be," Gammell said. "I know how good those other teams are by sheer numbers. I know we'll be respectable, but I'll be really shocked if we make the playoffs at that level."

Butler, though, figures to be competing for a section title.

The Golden Tornado are deep with a talented senior and junior class and have a freshman in Caroline Shetter who should make her mark this season.

"She's a tough, tournament savvy player," said Butler coach Alisa Green.

"I think we have a really good shot," Green added. "The last time we made the playoffs was my first year in 2002, and I think we're coming around to that again. We're really deep. In the next few years, look out."

Individually, the Knights return one of the best players in the state in senior Chelsea Gibson, who could compete for a WPIAL individual title if she can avoid the illness bug that bit her last season.

"She is a top-notch player," Gammell said. "She's going to be playing somewhere next year in college. She's as good as any boy I've coached. Her biggest strength is she doesn't have any weakness."

Grove City doesn't have to deal with the "Super Section," but has its own tough road in its region of District 10 where Hickory has dominated for the last several seasons.

But the Eagles are strong at the top of their singles rotation in senior Christine Port and junior Danielle Delligatti.

Both are basically No. 1 singles players, although Port will start the season in that spot.

"That's a big bonus for us," Sowers said.

Following is a quick look at each girls tennis team.

Butler•

Coach: Alisa Green, fifth year•

Last year: 10-7•

They're gone: Kellie Oesterling•

They're here: Angie Byrnes (senior), Kristin Cypher (senior), Courtney Kerr (senior), Maggie McGinnis (senior), Lauren Southworth (senior), Melanie Ward (senior)•

Outlook: The Golden Tornado have a very deep team, with many seniors and juniors with varsity experience and two emerging freshmen on the way up."It's a tough section, but I think we are in a better situation to compete for a title," Green said.

Seneca Valley•

Coach: Jason Shorr, fifth year•

Last year: 6-9•

They're gone: Rachel Gloor, Jen Cristalli, April Glasser, Ashley Reed, Sarah Brookes•

They're here: Carly Burns (senior), Nicole Lucey (senior), Jenna McMullen (senior), Cassie Nelson (senior), Valerie Rastetter (senior), Sarah Sharrar (senior), Lauren Fetter (sophomore)•

Outlook: The Raiders have some strong seniors this season, but will it be enough?"I think all the girls have gotten better," Shorr said. "I'm looking forward to a good season with them."

Mars•

Coach: Mark Varlotta, sixth year•

Last year: won the section•

They're gone: Christie Hansen•

They're here: Katrina Erdahl (junior), ErinFlynn (senior), Rachel Williams (senior), Brooke Barnes (junior), Staci Moeller (senior), Amanda Summers (senior), Carry Andrascik (senior), Jen Roth (senior), Dayna Broskey (senior)•

Outlook: The Planets lose only one starter from last season, but a move into a more difficult section may derail Mars."We have a bulk of our starters back," Varlotta said. "We're hoping to break into the playoffs."

Knoch•

Coach: Tom Gammell, first year•

Last year: N/A•

They're gone: Tiffany Allen•

They're here: Chelsea Gibson (senior), Sara Sypher (sophomore), Laura Winters (senior), Jenna Kanterman (freshman)•

Outlook: Perhaps no other team will be hurt more by joining a section with bigger schools like North Allegheny and Seneca Valley than the Knights."I like the challenge," Gammell said.

Grove City•

Coach: Shawn Sowers, ninth year•

Last year: 12-3•

They're gone: Julie Molloy, Kathryn Myer, Kendall Persch•

They're here: Christine Port (senior), Danielle Delligatti (junior), Gabby Welker (senior), Molly McBryan (senior)•

Outlook: Grove City's region will be difficult again with everyone shooting for Hickory.Expecting another 12-3 season might be too much for the Eagles."I'll be surprised if anyone goes undefeated in the region," Sowers said.