COAL TOWNSHIP -- Despite heavy graduation losses and the season-ending injury to another player, Shamokin still has high expectations for a successful volleyball campaign in 2008.

Veteran head coach Wanda Cook has a solid nucleus of returnees looking to make another trip to the postseason and possible berth in the District 4 finals.

In other camps, Mount Carmel Area's Tina McClay hopes a strong class of seniors leads the Red Tornadoes to another season of improvement while first-year mentor Kevin Collins is counting on tradition and several outstanding performers to take their game up another notch at Lourdes Regional and send the Red Raiders back to the Schuylkill League and D-4 playoffs.

n SHAMOKIN AREA

The Indians posted an 8-7 record in 2007 that earned them a berth in the District 4 tournament where the Schuylkill League entry knocked off Athens before their season ended in a loss to undefeated Towanda.

However, six starters from that team are gone and Cook must fashion a new competitive unit from seven returning letter winners.

"Our players have been working hard at getting to know each other on the floor and what each individual has to contribute," Cook said. "We have experience on the roster and no longer have to spend time on learning how to play the game, but that doesn't mean we stop working on the fundamentals.

"One big loss will be senior Courtney Conrad, who suffered a knee injury and is lost for the year. She started at libero the past two years and will be hard to replace."

Emily Linkoski is expected to be the offensive leader and a force defensively as the team's middle blocker. Expected to contribute on the defensive side of the net will be Taylor Kiefaber, Jess Whalen and Shelbi Maschuck with offensive help coming from outside hitter Angela Bainbridge, Hevyn Dimm and Kasey Williams.

Providing help offensively in the middle should be Alisha Rupp and Shaina Catizone and helping aid the attack will be setters Emily Witt and Carley Dabulis.

"Our focus early will be finding new leadership from the returning veteran players," Cook said. "We got a taste of the postseason and the talent is here to have another winning year and play in both the Schuylkill playoffs and in district's."

n MOUNT CARMEL

McClay has never lost the sight of one day watching the Red Tornadoes play competitive volleyball in every match. With 11 seniors on the roster, many of who have been in the program for four years, the veteran coach has watched the team improve its play to the point they are no longer everyone's sure win on the schedule.

The Red Tornadoes have shown improved play and are doing more than just learning the sport but are executing and exhibiting movements associated with the game.

"Our players have been working hard on improving their skills as volleyball players," McClay said. "We continue to stress fundamentals and the basics of the game but are also executing plays and showing improvement in all phases."