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Fifth-year coach Angela Alcain admits to facing a modest rebuilding season again this fall after losing three seniors to graduation. But the Eagles will have sophomore Tai Heath and second-year players Danielle Moody, Candace Tisdale, Christine Passley and Melanie Casanova returning, along with a cast of new varsity players.

"It is difficult to say how strong our squad will be this season," Alcain said. "I am very excited, though, because we have some new talent on the court along with some returning starters. They have much to learn, but I see a lot of potential."

Bishop McNamara

To say that the Mustangs have some big shoes to fill would be an understatement since they graduated three-time Gazette-Star All-County choice Meghan Alger. The 6-foot-2 middle hitter is now a freshman at Fairleigh Dickinson University. In the third season of her second stint at McNamara, coach Brenda Stephens knows the Mustangs will have to improve quickly to be competitive in the tough Washington Catholic Athletic Conference. They opened against Bishop O'Connell (Va.) Wednesday night after The Star went to press, and have a date at Paul VI (Va.) on Friday.

McNamara will have freshman setter Kate Schminky, juniors Tamara Weems and Simone Harris and sophomores Tenis Jenkins and Allie Donoghue on the floor.

"We are young this year," said Stephens, who also lost Aileena Flynn, Arielle Gandee and Samira Howard to graduation from last year's 10-8 squad. "We know we can expect a lot of ups and downs for this season with that kind of youth. But it should be fun."

E-mail Ted Black at tblack@gazette.net.