Capsules

Cascade Bruins

Coach - Roberta Hasstedt, 19th year.

1998 record - Second in league, third at district tournament.

Returning starters - Arlyn Escalona, Sr.; Kayla Huss, Jr.; Annie Kountz-Balas, Sr.; Sarie Lattyak, Sr.

Outlook - Cascade lost all-everything Brianna Murray and four other starters, but the Bruins aren't going to bow out this season. There's some talent on this team and it will carry on the Cascade tradition of advancing to the state tournament. The Bruins are a little Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde, though. One minute you think they're a defensive powerhouse and the next, they're the aggressors on offense. It'll be interesting to see how this squad pans out come midseason.

Edmonds-Woodway Warriors

Coach - Mike Pitts, 10th year.

1998 record - Seventh in Northwest 3A District tournament.

Returning starters - Tracy Williams, Jr.; Nicole Bordeaux, Jr.; Teresa Jzyk, Candice Leslie, Sr.; Stacie Scholz, Sr.

Impact newcomers - Marie King, Jr.; Cami Howden, So.

Outlook - It was only two years ago that Edmonds-Woodway placed fourth at state and third in the Class 3A district tournament. The team has lost some talent, but enough remember how to advance in postseason play. This team excels on defense and wants to learn. Being in a new league makes it hard to tell exactly how the Warriors will perform, but Pitts always has his team prepared. There are only five players with varsity experience on the squad.

Kamiak Knights

Coach - Debra Crawford, sixth year.

1998 record - third in league, 10-5.

Returning starters - Nicole Hetzer, Sr.; Lindsay Richardson, Sr.; Stacey Wisman, Sr.; Jessi O'Neal, Sr.; Erin Oswald, Brianna Linder, Jr.; Tori Black, Jr.; Chandra Sanford, Jr.; Lindsay Page, Jr.

Outlook - Kamiak is a solid team. All-leaguers Hetzer and Richardson are tough net players and are very experienced. Their leadership is key to the Knights' success. Postseason play is not a question for Kamiak, just how far will it get? Last year the Knights lost in the first round of district playoffs to Columbia River.

Mariner Marauders

Information not available.

Marysville-Pilchuck Tomahawks

Coach - Shelly Johnson, 14th year.

1998 record - Fourth in league, 10-6.

Returning starters - Ashley Isacsen, Jr.; Raachel Kattenbach, Sr.; Dana Parker, Sr.; Becky Keehn, Sr.

Impact newcomers - Mariko Coverdale, Fr.; Stephanie Long, So.; Megan Maxwell, So.

Outlook - The Tomahawks lost in a tiebreaker to make the district playoffs last season. This year they have strong senior leadership and a cluster of inexperienced players all trying to mesh with each other. It has been three years since Marysville-Pilchuck has won the league and it is going to have to play competitive, smart volleyball in order to contend this year.

Mountlake Terrace Hawks

Coach - Susie Miller, 13th year.

1998 record - fifth in league.

Returning starters - Breanne Appleby, Sr.; Jen Mundt, Jr.; Jennifer Snyder, Sr.; Liz Jeffery, Sr.

Impact newcomers - Kelsey Voetmann, Fr.; Kiley Stewart, Jr.

Outlook - The Hawks graduated seven seniors last year and are very young. They are scrappy on defense and pick up a lot of balls. Their hustle ranks among the best in the league. On offense, they have to work on passing and being more aggressive, but they are improving daily. There are only three seniors on the team, so look out next year. The Hawks are fun to watch.

Oak Harbor Wildcats

Information not available.

Sehome Mariners

Information not available.

Shorecrest Scots

Coach - Dave Morehouse, 12th year.

1998 record - third in WesCO 3A, 23-7 overall.

Returning starters - Crystal Ames, Sr.; Erin Domingo, Jr.; Uchechi Acholonu, Jr.

Impact newcomers - Sara Simmons, So.; Kelly Harold, So.; Erin Zabukovac, Sr.

Outlook - The Scots have a string of six consecutive district playoff appearances, and don't expect that streak to snap just because Shorecrest moved up the Class 4A. Harold and Domingo are the best setters in school history, Morehouse said. This team is aggressive and only needs to learn the way of Class 4A. Once that happens, the Scots will continue with their winning ways.

Shorewood Thunderbirds

Coach - Andy Robertson, third year.

1998 record - second in league.

Returning starters - Annette Nordum, Sr.; Carrie Nrskanen, Jr.; Kendra Grunett, Jr.

Impact newcomers - Sophia Kantas, Sr.; Sue Blake, Jr.

Outlook - Lost to Stanwood for WesCo 3A league championship, were South Division champs. Kantas is from Greece and had to wait a season in order to be eligible to play. The Thunderbirds graduated six seniors from last year and one player, Teagan Simonson, is concentrating on rowing for her scholarship to Washington next year. So the team is inexperienced, but expects to grab one of the spots in the district tournament.

Snohomish Panthers

Coach - Kristi Yandell, first year.

1998 record - Tied for last in league; 2-12 overall.

Returning starters - Shannon McAllister, Sr.; Kirsten Brockman, Jr.; Ciara Chaffee, Jr.; Amanda Miller, Sr.

Impact newcomers - Koreen Kito, Sr.

Outlook - While the varsity may have won only two matches last year, the junior varsity only lost two. And who was their coach? That's right, Yandell. She meshed her powerful hitting JV squad with the four returning varsity players and now Snohomish looks fierce. The Panthers won their jamboree and seem ready for a positive season. They are a smart team; they just need to stay mentally focused and not let losses spin them into a downward cycle.