JIM THORPE

Head coach - Erin Kuhn (3rd season)Assistant coach - Caitlyn ThomposonDistrict 11 Class - AALeague - Schuylkill League, Division 1Last year's record - 9-10Key Losses - Dara Bonte, Jocelyn DeMarco, Danielle Becker, Molly McArdle.Key returnees - Riley Carroll (Jr.), Nicole Nace (Sr.), Mackenzie Walck (Sr.), Erin Shigo (Jr.).Others to watch - Jillian Peterson (So.), Alex McGinley (Fr.), Mackenzie Rosenberger (Fr.).Outlook - The Olympians balance is the key for them this season. This group plays well together and complements each other very well on the court. After a 9-10 season a year ago they're looking to take the next step by qualifying for the postseason.Quotable - "It's important for us to have confidence and I've been preaching that since we started our offseason workouts. Our team attitude has been great and I've also been impressed with how receptive they've been. When something goes wrong they want to know how to fix it, and that shows a maturity level that any coach would be happy with," Jim Thorpe head coach Erin Kuhn.LEHIGHTONHead coach - T.J. O'Connor (4th season)Assistant coach - Terry Haberman, Lex Jones.District 11 Class - AALeague - Schuylkill League Division 1Last year's record - 13-5Key Losses - Jackie Jordan, Tiff Thompson, Taylor Yurasits, Sarah Wingert, Kayla Troutman.Key returnees - Alyssa Jordan (Jr.), Holly Hinkle (Sr.).Others to watch - Katie Higgins (So.), Andrea Schafer (Jr.), Mikaela Pettrucci (Sr.), Tori Eads-Rodriguez (So.).Outlook - This Lehighton group is young, but they're athletic and they're passionate. The Indians will have to adapt to a new system and a new league as this is their first season in the Schuylkill League.Quotable - "We have a young team and this is our first season in the extremely competitive Schuylkill League. I'm really excited to see how we perform this season," Lehighton head coach T.J. O'Connor.MARIANHead coach - John "Doc" FallabelAssistant coach - Maria Currie, Rachael Krajcirik, Sarah Connely.District 11 Class - ALeague - Schuylkill League, Division 2.Last year's record - 24-2Key Losses - Grace Boyle (TN POY), Sophie Myers, Ashton Gallasso, Madison Dyer.Key returnees - Emily Pilla (Sr.), Abby O'Donnell (Sr.), Abby Stankiewitch (Jr.), Maureen Kloap (Jr.), Lauren Nietz (Sr.).Others to watch - Cassandra Hoban (Sr.), Alex Stroia (Sr.), Courtney McCall (Jr.), Jasmine Mooney (Fr.), Kaylee Ceci (Sr.), Rachael Meier.Outlook - Marian proves to be a contender for the Schuylkil League title, District 11 title and PIAA A title once again this season. They return a very talented squad with depth at each spot. After an A state title a year ago the Fillies gained all the experience needed to try and repeat.Quotable - "Our expectations are high and we expect our girls to play at a high level. We need to stay focused and get better everyday at practice. If we can do that then we should have another very successful season," Marian head coach John Fallabel.NORTHWESTERNHead coach - Amilee Schillinger (2nd season)Assistant coach - Victoria NicholsDistrict 11 Class - AALeague - Colonial LeagueLast year's record - 9-8Key Losses - Jen Van Holt, Marian Valencia.Key returnees - Sarah Malay (Sr,), Nicki Genrose (Sr.), Sarah Overstrom (Sr.).Others to watch - Natcheli Gomes (Sr.), Emily Wentz (Jr.), Abbie Monks (Sr.).Outlook - The Tigers have a very senior laiden team this season and that will help them as the season grinds on. This team also plays very well together and has good chemistry. The goal is to get back to the postseason and make some noise.Quotable - "We had a very good offseason and the girls worked very hard. We're also very experienced and I'm depending heavily on my senior class to lead us back to the district playoffs," Northwestern head coach Amilee Schillinger.PANTHER VALLEYHead coach - Nancy Filer (15th season)District 11 Class - AALeague - Schuylkill League Division 2Last year's record - 10-5Key Losses - Kayla Kashlak, Marley Mikovich, Richelle VanHorn and JordanDevitt.Key returnees - Jessica Wiese (Sr.), Macey Markovich (Sr.), Kelsey Van Horn (Jr.), JameyMikovich (Jr.).Others to watch - Emily Drissel, Erin Evans, Cara Hoffman, Cassidy Ryan, HannahHill, Alexandra Kennedy, Danielle Hudicka.Outlook - The Panthers return four starters in Wiese, Markovich, Van Horn, and Mikovich. Wiese and Markovich provide a solid middle tandem, while Markovich and Van Horn will be on the outside. PV will also need help from its bench, which is expected to provide some versatility for the Panthers. A trip back to the postseason is definitely in their sights.Quotable - "My girls are so excited for the season to start. If they bring thatexcitement to the court it should be a good season for us," Panther Valley head coach Nancy Filer.PLEASANT VALLEYHead coach - John Gesiskie (21st season)Assistant coach - Kathleen Geisiskie, Craig Morris, Nicole Gesiskie.District 11 Class - AAALeague - Eastern Penn ConferenceLast year's record - 29-3 (MVC Champ)Key Losses - MacKenzie Dorney, Courtney Miller, Ashley Rivera, Samantha Jimenez (out for the season, ACL injury).Key returnees - Katie Lenart (Sr.), Kiersten Griesback (Sr.), Bridget Loizer (Sr.), Kallie Walling (Sr.), Allison Markowski (Jr.), Noel Kelly (So.).Others to watch - Roxy Miranda (Sr.), Olivia Karaman (Sr.), Veronica Roberts (So.).Outlook - The Bears are once again looking to be competitive this season. They lose their big three from a year ago in Dorney, Miller, and Rivera, but do return seven starters. The return of Griesback is also key as she has been the starting setter the previous three seasons. Pleasant Valley is also expected to be solid on the defensive side of the court.Quotable - "With the experience coming back we should step up to the challenges of the new East Penn Conference and have a very successful season," Pleasant Valley head coach John Gesiskie.TAMAQUAHead coach - Stacy Setlock (6th season)Assistant coach - Lori MazloomDistrict 11 Class - AALeague - Schuylkill League, Division 1Last year's record - 4-12Key Losses - Carly TrovingerKey returnees - Vanessa Solt (Sr.), Alexis Baddick (Jr.), Andrea Iacovellio (So.), Yeni Benigno (Sr.).Others to watch - Deidra Ressler (So.), Andrea Iacoviello (So.), Olivia Matula (So.) , Mackenzie McVicker (So.), Carly Kosiolek (Fr.).Outlook - The Raiders will be looking to develop young talent this season as they only lose two seniors next season. The goal is to find the right lineup and coach Setlock will be experimenting with the lineup throughout the season in order to find out which group of players play the best together.Quotable - "We're looking to go out there and compete, but our main goal is develop our younger players for the future. We definitely need to improve our confidence and communication in order to be successful this season," Tamaqua head coach Stacey Setlock.WEATHERLYHead coach - Kristy Fiore (1st season)Assistant coach - NoneDistrict 11 Class - ALeague - Schuylkill League Division 4Last year's record - 3-17Key Losses - Shannon Sarosky, Kirsten Yursta, Kelly Fisher.Key returnees - Samantha Hartz (Sr.), Lexi Hartz (Jr.), Megan McLintock (Jr.), Jackie Gillott (Jr.).Outlook - Weatherly will be looking to depend on its strong serving and hitting this season. Passing is a work in progress for the Wreckers as they look to improve in the win column in 2014.Quotable - "The girls have been working hard and they all have a passion and love for the game. Our numbers are a little low this season, but hopefully when the other young athletes see how much fun we have and how hard we work our numbers will improve. We just want to go out there and have fun and get some wins in the process," Weatherly head coach Kristy Fiore.