Here's a look at the eight area volleyball teams that will open the season later this week:

JIM THORPETOP ROTATION… Jillian Peterson (middle hitter), Joclyn Day (outside hitter), Leah Detweiler (outside hitter), Mackenzie Rosenberger (outsider hitter), Jordan Waselus (middle hitter, Alexandra McGinley (libero), Kelsey Carroll (setter).ALL AROUND… Former leader Erin Shigo was lost due to graduation. Now, Mackenzie Rosenberger will now be asked to fill the all-around role, serving as an outside hitter and a back row specialist. The rest of the Olympians in the top rotation will band together in order to fill the leadership role.CHEMISTRY… This Jim Thorpe group has been together for several years now, so team chemistry is a strong point. Communication and experience could form a solid foundation for the Lady Olympians to make a serious run at the postseason in 2016.COACH'S THOUGHTS… "We have been training hard throughout the postseason and we're in fantastic shape," said Jim Thorpe head coach Victoria Nichols. "I think that we can play through any type of physical adversity that is put in front of us, and I like our mental game as well. This is a confident group of girls, and I'm excited about the potential of this season."LEHIGHTONTOP ROTATION… Emily Haberman (setter), Katie Higgins (outside hitter), Vanessa Ahner (outside hitter), Lyssa Pantella (outside hitter), Erika Kruver (middle hitter), Cassie Gower (middle blocker), Sarah Bradley (outside hitter), Haley Steigerwalt (libero), Lillian Brown (defensive specialist).ADAPTATION… The Indians have had quite the offseason having to practice in different facilities, therefore having to adapt to different situations. Coach O'Connor believes that this has sharpened the mental game of his team this season, which is something that will come in handy in the always tough Division 1 of the Schuylkill League.STAT LEADER… Katie Higgins returns for the Indians, and will be very important to their success this season. Higgins led the team in kills, digs, and aces in 2015.COACH'S THOUGHTS… "Our goals are to always compete within our division and make the postseason," explained Lehighton head coach T.J. O'Connor. "I want to see us give the top teams a run for their money every time we hit the floor. I think we have the ability to surprise some people."TAMAQUATOP ROTATION… Carly Kosciolek (outside hitter), Kaitlyn Stauffenberg (setter), Emily Amershek (outside hitter), Mackenize McVicker (middle blocker), Amy Hadesty (middle hitter), Andrea Lacoviello (libero), Deidra Ressler (outside hitter, Lauren Baddick (defensive specialist).I GOT YOUR BACK… The Raiders have improved in many aspects of their game in the offseason, but one of their most improved areas is backing each other up. "Our girls are a really tight-knit group," said Tamaqua head coach Emily Baker. "You can see them picking each other up and working well together, even when things aren't going great."YOU CAN'T TEACH SIZE… Size will be an added advantage for the Raiders this season. Their returning top player from a season ago, Carly Kosciolek, measures 5-foot-11-inches, with outside hitter Deidra Ressler at 6-0, and middle blocker Mackenzie McVicker standing at 6-1.COACH'S THOUGHTS… "I think we've made a lot of progression, just with understanding the game better and knowing where to be and when to be there," noted the Tamaqua coach. "We're getting better every day and we continue to add more difficult aspects of the game every day. We'll definitely be improved this season."Panther ValleyTOP ROTATION… Richelle Filer (middle hitter), Chloe Markovich (middle hitter), Danielle Hudicka (setter), Christina Dacey (setter), Emily Kwaak (outside hitter), Jenna Dubosky (outside hitter), Sydney Clouser (libero), Sarah Zabroski, Sarah Markovich, Robin Krajcir.RELENTLESS… One of Panther Valley's best assets this season will be their never quit attitude. "This team will never quit and they never give in," said Panther Valley coach Nancy Filer. "They're willing to get on the floor to make plays and I've never seen them settle for anything, but 100 percent effort."COLLABORATIVE EFFORT… The Panthers aren't specifically dominant at any position this season, but what they have is a solid group of athletic girls. In order for the Panthers to be successful this season, every player will have to do their part and contribute on a nightly basis.COACH'S THOUGHTS… "This is a dedicated bunch of girls and they spent all summer long working hard in the gym," said Filer. "This is a goal-setting group that wants to get to leagues and go deeper in the postseason. With the change in alignment, we'll be playing schools that are our size, and we're excited about that."WeatherlyTOP ROTATION… Emily Zoscin (outside hitter), Samantha Andruzzi (outside hitter), Kim Carter (defensive specialist), Necarlley Serrtta (setter), Alexis Wilkinson (defensive specialist), Sam Paisley (specialist), Nikkie Polivka (defensive specialist), Katie Graham (defensive specialist).POWER… Hitting seems to be the main strength for this season's Weatherly squad, which gives Coach Fiore some added confidence in that department heading into the season opener.REPLACING TALENT… The Wreckers will need their younger players to step up with the loss of three starters from last season. Communication on the court between the youth of the sophomore class and the upperclassmen will be vital to the success of the team this season.COACH'S THOUGHTS… "For us, I think it's all about not getting down if things aren't going our way," said Weatherly head coach Kristy Fiore. "We have to be tougher mentally. If we can do that, and battle through adversity when it comes our way, we'll for sure have an improved season."MarianTOP ROTATION… Jasmine Mooney (outside hitter), Miranda Antiga (middle hitter), Jenna O'Donnell (middle hitter), Macy Mazalusky (outside hitter), Gianna Agosti (setter), Emily Myer (outside hitter), Elena Beckett (outside hitter), Toni Galasso (libero), Nina Zeleniak (outside hitter).THRILLS AND KILLS… The Fillies return their top kills leader from a year ago in Jasmine Mooney. The junior has size (5-10) and quite a bit of athleticism. Mooney came through with 244 kills for the Fillies in 2015. Additionally, she's expected to earn her fair amount of aces from the service line.DRIVE FOR FIVE… Marian will be looking to win its fifth-straight District 11 Class A Championship this season. The Fillies have won 12 of them across the history of the program.COACH'S THOUGHTS… "Our goals don't change," stated Marian head coach John "Doc" Fallabel. "We want to win the division, the league, and then compete for a state championship. These girls have been working hard since last season ended to accomplish these goals. I'm just looking forward to getting the season started."Northwestern LehighTOP ROTATION… Stacey Everett (setter), Payton Breidinger (libero), Katie Smith (middle hitter), Katie Morrison (outside hitter), Emily Corke (defensive specialist), Sarah Sekerak (middle hitter).DEFENSE DOMINATES… The Tigers will bank heavily on defense. Head coach Gabby Pergosky feels like that is her team's best strength this season. Northwestern boasts a quick and fast roster, so protecting its side of the floor will be its main focus.DYNAMIC DUO… Stacey Everett and Payton Breidinger will be the leaders this season for the Tigers. Everett will control the offense and can play anywhere, while Breidinger is the go-to person for the dirty work and the hustle plays on the squad.COACH'S THOUGHTS… "We're looking to become a more organized and strategic team on the offensive side of the ball," mentioned Pergosky. "We want to run more plays and we want to increase our communication. If we're able to do that with our skill on the defensive side, I think we're going to have a pretty solid season."Pleasant ValleyTOP ROTATION… Noel Kelly (outside hitter), Sarah Kron (middle hitter), Sophia Janak (outside hitter), Andrea Janak (setter), Cameron Caffrey (setter), Veronica Roberts (outside hitter), Renee Mapa (middle hitter), Katie Frankunas (setter).BLOCKING THE NET… A surprise strength for the Bears this season will be their ability to block at the net. Renee Mapa has been improving in that department and has the size at 6-0 to be a force on the defensive end. Pleasant Valley head coach John Gesiskie noted that Mapa has been getting her hands on a lot of kills, which in turn will change up the opposing team's offensive scheme.DIVISION GOALS… As always, the Bears are looking to take home the Mountain Division crown and qualify for EPC Championships.COACH'S THOUGHTS… "We have a ton of potential and I'm excited about that," noted Gesiskie. "We just have to be mentally ready to play every time we hit the floor. The biggest thing for us is confidence. If we can play confident and not get down, we can be a really tough team."