ECC Large

East Lyme:

Coach: Jack Biggs (16th year).

Key returnees: Sr. D Taylor Kerpen, Sr. D Brielle Benson, Sr. M/O Savahna Johnson, Jr. OH Maggy Powers, Jr. S Alexis Bell.

Top newcomers: Sr. D Shawn Dousis, Jr. OH Carly Puckett , Jr. D Alex Marsh, So. M Gabby Murphy, So. M Megan Appleton, Fr. OH Madison Bell.

Outlook: The Vikings have been one of the ECC's top programs for years, but Biggs faces a rare rebuilding year with only two returning starters from a team that went 14-8. East Lyme will have to rely on players with little to no varsity experience. "We're looking to be competitive in the ECC Large," Biggs said, "and looking to show improvement in the second half of the season."

Fitch

Coach: Steve Banks (19th year).

Key returnees: Jr. S Mae Sefransky, Sr. L Michelina Pinto, Sr. MH Sofie Clark, Jr. OH Mackenzie Aldridge, Jr. RS Caroline Taber.

Top newcomers: Sr. OH Molly Fabrizio, Sr. MH Liz Jennerwein, Sr. DS Christina Tompkins, Sr. OH Alison Wilkinson, So. S Ryanna Kelsey, Sr. DS Dalymarie Robles, Jr. OH Guilia Parker, Jr. OH Alannah Bunkley.

Outlook: The Falcons finished 13-11 overall last season in the ultra-competitive Large Division and return a solid nucleus, including ECC Large Division all-star libero Pinto. Banks said Fitch has a versatile attack and if the Falcons can tighten things up defensively they have the ability to be competitive in the ECC and at the state level, where they compete in Class L.

Ledyard

Coach: Richard Duwelius (2nd year).

Key returnees: Sr. Mariah Abstetar, Sr. MB Madison Canestrari, Sr. OH Haley Hinton, Sr. OH Michelle Klinikowski, Sr. S Jenny Nohara.

Outlook: It's a bit of a mixed bag for the Colonels, who lost four starters, but return three ECC Large Division all-stars from a team that went 24-2, won the ECC tournament championship and reached the Class L semifinals. Abstetar, Canestrari and Klinikowski (a Class L all-state pick) lead a talented group that also includes veterans Hinton and Nohara, but depth is a question and Duwelius will have to rely on some untested replacements to grow up quickly.

NFA

Coach: Bill Howard (16th year).

Key returnees: Sr. Abby Mattern (RH), Sr. Olivia Lane (MH), Sr. Sophie Swedin (S), Sr. Avery Spear (DS), Jr. Cebria Outlow (MH), Jr. Isis Deloatch (MH).

Top newcomers: Sr. Taylor Korenkiewicz (DS), Jr. Monique Fletcher (OH), So. MacKenzie Burke (OH).

Outlook: The Wildcats, 13-9 a year ago, expect big things this season, in part because Howard says NFA has never had this much size up front during his coaching tenure and because of an experienced setter in Swedin. The Wildcats return four starters, will get immediately help from their newcomers and Howard said "the challenge will be to improve our passing and defensive consistency so that we can set up our offense."

ECC Medium

New London

Coach: Leah Ward (2nd year).

Key returnees: Sr. Taiana St. Hilaire, Jr. Cassandra Barthelemy, Jr. Kate Ashbey.

Top newcomer: Pamela Montes.

Outlook: Ward continues the building process (the Whalers went 2-17 last season, 0-8 in the Medium Division), but must overcome the graduation loss of Lexus Childs-Harris, New London's top offensive player and team leader. St. Hilaire will anchor New London's defense while Barthelemy and Ashbey are the top offensive threats and Montes, though new to the program, has experience.

ECC Small

Montville

Coach: Kate Spina (3rd year).

Key returnees: Sr. MH Mia Ferguson Sr. OH Alyssa Nissen.

Top newcomers: Sr. Emily Dodson, Jr. S Naomi Clark, Jr. Katelyn Mitchell, Jr. Olivia Fargo, Jr. Taylor Crews.

Outlook: The Indians graduated 11 seniors from a team that went 5-11, so Spina will lean heavily on captains Ferguson, Nissen and Dodson. Montville has a good sophomore class that must improve and provide depth. Spina hopes the Indians will raise "a few eyebrows along the way."

Wheeler

Coach: Jennamarie Lesky-Aull (3rd season).

Key returnees: Sr. L Sara Gaccione, Sr. MH Christy Sehl, Jr. S Lexi Galluci, Sr. MH Jenn Paride, Jr OH Alysia Rathbun, Jr. MH/OH Chrissy McSwain.

Outlook: The Lions return their entire team and, following a 5-10 season, Lesky-Aull looks for Wheeler to step up and challenge for a state tournament bid. Gaccione earned honorable mention all-star status in the Small Division last year. "They have been putting in the hard work needed to be competitive with the top teams," Lesky-Aull said. "We are looking forward to this season and stepping up the bar."

Others

Norwich Tech

Coaches: Timothy and Deborah Krodel (17th year).

Key returnees: Sr. MH Elanna Sanon, Jr. MH Anna Hammar, So. S/OH Madison Bodley.

Top newcomers: Jr. L Rebekkah Smith, Jr. S/OH Saige LaQuitara, Jr. RS Phoebe Joyner, Sr. S/RS Vanessa Gumbs.

Outlook: The Krodels expect the Warriors to bounce back from a disappointing season, challenge for the Constitution State Conference East Division title and qualify for the state tournament. Norwich Tech has a nice mix of experience and youth and expect big things from Bodley as a setter and outside hitter.

Old Lyme

Coach: Erin Crayton (9th year).

Key returnees: Sr. S Holly Fiscus, Sr. OH Kasey Testa.

Top newcomers: Jr. OH Colleen Mueller, Jr. MH Sophia Romeo.

Outlook: The Wildcats struggled a year ago, but with two experienced seniors in Fiscus and Testa and a pair of talented newcomers in Mueller and Romeo, Crayton expects Old Lyme to be more competitive within the Shoreline Conference and contend for a state tournament berth.