But then there is Westlake. The roster is filled with D1 caliber players who were members of the 2002 state title team. So based on their overall talent and depth they get one more chance to fill the role of preseason #1.

Noticeably missing from the rankings is the team that finished #1 in our final rankings last year, Wimberley. After a four-year run among the state's elite, coach Lee Grisham faces a major rebuilding task, as does Arthur Stanfield at perennial 4A power Red Oak. Among the private schools, St. Michael's Academy and Saint Mary's Hall, the defending TAPPS and SPC champs who were competitive last year against public schools, will be rebuilding and no other private team appears to have the size and depth necessary to run with the big dogs.

So as many of the state's top teams prepare for this weekend's Duncanville Tournament of Champions (and Clark and Churchill prepare for Tuesday night's early season showdown between state powers), here is the LoneStarVolleyball preseason Texas Top 20. (Click here for last season's final High School Rankings)

1. Austin Westlake
“Westlake’s problem is figuring out where to play everyone,” Round Rock coach Diane Watson says of her area rivals. “And that’s a problem a lot of coaches would love to have.”

Yes, Westlake is loaded and for the second year in a row opens the season at #1. Of course a pre-season #1 doesn’t mean much come November, as they found out last season when they ran into a Clark team that put on a passing and ball-control clinic.

Still, it’s hard to find another team statewide that will be able to match the talent and depth that coach Al Bennett will put on the court. Gone are all-state performers Meghan Kainz and Lindsey Louis, but the team has 14 seniors, most of whom were members of the 2002 state champs. Six of the seniors already have made D1 college commitments.

The team will be big and strong up front, led by seniors Shannon Davis (6’0”), Kelsey Bryant (6’3”), Jen Linder (6’0”), Kelsey Wood (5’11”) and junior OH Lauren Dickson. Bennett even has two D1 setters in Tedi Doucet (Maryland) and Steffi Kons (SMU).

“We expect a great year,” Bennett says simply. So does the rest of the state.

2. Arlington Martin
If there is a team that can come close to matching Westlake’s talent it is Arlington Martin, which returns the core of a team that has made two straight appearances at the state tournament. The team also has extra motivation with popular coach Joni McCoy having announced that this will be her final season.

Like Westlake, Martin is big up front with seniors Emily Jones (6’2”), Caitlyn Moore (6’0”) and Amy Weigle (6’1”). The driving force, however, is all-everything Taylor Barnes, the 6’0” junior setter/hitter/jump-server.

McCoy will have to count on a couple of young players to fill holes and add depth on the outside. She has high hopes for freshman Chelsea Ringel (5’10”) and sophomore Leslie Breslin (5’9”). McCoy also may move junior middle Melissa Bellomy (6’0”) to the outside.

“Our middles and setting are solid,” says McCoy, “but someone is going to have to step up on the outside. We’ve got a lot of work to do if we are going to get back (to San Marcos), but I always have high expectations and I’m anxious to start playing.”

3. San Antonio Churchill
Once again San Antonio could be home to a state champion but this year the favorite from the Alamo city is Churchill (despite a scrimmage stumble against Round Rock). If nothing else, coach Robin Gerlich’s team deserves one year of good health. For the past two seasons Churchill has entered the playoffs among the state’s elite only to suffer a major injury. Two years ago it was Morgan Spencer going down with the Chargers seemingly in control of the regional finals match with Westlake. Last year star setter Samantha Dabbs was lost to a shoulder injury in a playoff warm up match and the Chargers were eliminated by Clark in the regional quarterfinals.

“It’s our turn to have a healthy year,” says Gerlich.

Spencer and DS Lauren Berg are the only departures from the team that was eliminated by Clark. Like Westlake and Martin the Chargers are big and loaded with three members of San Antonio’s powerhouse class of juniors: Dabbs (6’1”, setter), Jenny Banse (6’0”, OH) and Sarah Harris (5’11”, OH). Gerlich also has three quality seniors in setter Kelsey King and 6-foot middles Maggie Baird and Karis Fuchs. A 6’1” sophomore moving up from the JV provides added depth in the middle.

Because of the size of Dabbs and King, Gerlich will likely run a 6-2. “With their height and ability to block it just gives us more options,” she says. “The key will be how well we can shore up the defensive side.”

4. Amarillo
Only two seasons have passed since the Sandies were hoisting yet another state championship trophy and coach Jan Barker has them back in the hunt (not that they ever really went away). Barker returns eight from a team that was eliminated in the regional finals by Martin last year, led by 6’1” junior middle Kori Cooper, fresh off an impressive performance with the US National Youth Team. Also back is powerful 5’10” OH Nicole Mahan, 5’10” middle Teal Clark, 5'7 setter Kristin Schroder, 5'10 OH Alex Houston and DS Sara Contreras.

One newcomer who could make an immediate impact is sophomore MB/OH Lauren Sterna who is also a strong back-row defender. Other newcomers Barker is counting on are DS Magen Herrera and OH Melanie Speck.

“We will have a strong defense and our offense should be strong too,” said Barker. “The key to the season will be the setter-hitter connection. I am very optimistic.”

5. San Antonio Clark
The defending champs must replace the leadership of six seniors such as Jessie Carvajal, Kelly Broussard and Krystle Brydon. But coach Kirby Jameson still returns eight from last year’s roster, led by Player of the Year and State Tournament MVP Mary Batis (6’0”, junior) and Stephanie Cadavid (5’8”, junior).

Kate Wallace and Ali Crouch, both seniors, will be instrumental in the offense while Melissa Thrailkill has great ball-control and defensive skills (who doesn’t at Clark?). Jameson also is counting on newcomers Celena Rendon, Kimberely Kellmann, and Cary Darr to play important roles.

Clark won the 5A championship with a short team (only one 6-footer) that capitalized on great defense, exceptional ball control and aggressive serving. Expect more of the same this year.

Expect the team to struggle a little early. “We never had all the returnees on the court together last spring due to injuries,” said Jameson. “Having Mary and Stephanie’s experience will help. I think we might have a rocky start due to our schedule and the fact they have not played together.”

6. Stratford
"I'll be honest,” says coach Becky Palermo, “this team could be as good as any we've had the past few years.” Since the Spartans are coming off three consecutive state tournament appearances, that's saying a lot.

Gone is Michelle Moriarty, Melissa Caldwell and Anna Shlimak but seven seniors return as do several big, talented sophomores and juniors.

"I'm not sure where we are going to play everyone," said Palermo.

Megan Mullane, a 5'11" senior who played right side last season, replaces Moriarty as setter. Other seniors returning include Hayley Ball (5’10”, OH), Jill Swanson (5’10”, RS), Sarah Agnich (5’11”, MB) and Kristin Whanger (6’0”, MB). Susanne Shannon and Megan Martin will be counted on for much-needed defense.

Palermo will also have big, talented underclassmen starting with 6’5” sophomore Lauren Williams, who really came on strong during club season and teamed with Amarillo’s Cooper as the lead middles on the USA Youth National Team. Then there is 6’2” sophomore Julia Swanson who can play all three front line positions along with left-handed OH Heather Bartell. Sarah Grace, Jennifer Taylor and 6’0” Haley Hobbs, moving up from the JV, could challenge for playing time.

“We’re big in the middle,” said Palermo. “Some of the girls that usually play middle are going to have the chance to play outside. In fact, starting out I may just tell them that ‘when you’re lined up on the left, play the left, when you’re in the middle, play the middle, and when you are on the right play the right.’ Overall, this is a pretty talented group.”

7. Elkins
With his starting lineup almost intact from a team that was eliminated by Stratford in the regional finals, Elkins coach John Dalton has high expectations. “I really expect us to compete for another regional championship and a state berth,” Dalton says.

Leading the returnees are seniors Caitlin Hines, a 5’7” OH with a 30+” vertical who was first team all-district as a junior; Stephanie Harrell, a 5’9” OH who was last year’s Newcomer of the Year; powerful 5’11” MB Jessica Williams, who was All Greater Houston; 6’0” MB Emily Carle and Meagan Coburn, who was a starter as a sophomore.

“Setting will be the key to the season,” says Dalton. Junior Ashley Quinn, who was back up setter last season, will likely have that task. Harrell’s sister Allie, a talented sophomore, could also compete for playing time.

8. Round Rock
Coach Diane Watson loses only three from a team that won 25 before being eliminated by Allen in the regional semifinals. Top seniors include 6’0” setter Holly Hicks, all-district OH Ashley Nachreiner, middle Tori Thompson, OH Randi Salley and setter April Holly (Watson may run a 6-2). Also back is 6’0” middle Kate Henderson who missed most of last season with a broken foot.

Watson is counting on 5’10” sophomore transfer Chez Colter from Stoney Point for the second half of the season. Colter moved to Round Rock last year but under Round Rock ISD rules she won’t be eligible for varsity until September 29.

“We have some really good players back but depth will be a concern,” said Watson (Round Rock is one of the state’s smallest 5A schools). “We just don’t have the number of players to choose from that the bigger schools have.”

9. Kingwood
This could be a surprise team of the season. Only two starters return from a team that won 28 last year, but here is a lot of young talent led by junior middle Hannah Evans (5’11”), setters Karen Landsden and Lindsay O’Dell, outsides Kirstin Holly and Katherine Curek, 6’0” middle Kelsie Heppler and DS Ashlyn Wiest. At least a couple of players from last year’s powerful JV team should make an impact including 6’0” RS Sarah Weiner and 6’1” Caitlin Dees.

“We had a good off-season,” said coach Krista Malmstrom. “Last year we were too young, but this year we have much more seasoning. I’d like to think we’d be among the top teams.”

10. Cy Springs
Year after year the Cy-Fair district is the state’s toughest from top to bottom. That means that the district favorite will always be ranked among the state elite. That also means all eyes will be on Cy Springs and new coach Ashley Hardin this year.

“Defense will be the key all the way,” said Hardin, who spent the last five years as freshman coach at Cy Creek. She was a member of Cy Creek’s 1993 state championship team. “Offensively we are in good shape. We have a lot of weapons.”

The main weapon is OH Julie Boarman. The new coach also is counting on senior Kayla Shoup (5’10”, setter), junior middle Marie Cabreia (5’9”) and seniors Zsaval Walker (5’2”, DS), Katie Frazier (5’8”, RS) and Allyn Whittaker (5’8”, MB). Newcomers who could make an impact include junior setter/OH Erika Amos (5’6”), sophomore setter Kimberley Loving and sophomore DS Kellie Templet.

The team is working through a few injuries but should be at full speed by the time things get serious.

11. Arlington Lamar
They may not have the overall firepower to unseat Martin, but this could be the year that Lamar replaces Arlington as the #2 team in one of the toughest districts in Texas. Coach Shain Sackett welcomes back five seniors and a couple of juniors led by 6’0” powerhouse Lindsey Peterson (can she be a senior already!), 5’10” junior OH Kristen Marcum, 5'10" MB Lauren Leone and 5’9” setter Taylor Poticny.

Although a district title may not be in the cards, it could be a milestone season for the seniors, who have never beaten Arlington. This should be the year that changes.

12. Allen
On paper this was a preseason Top 10 team until a week ago when two-year starting middle Whitney Stare (5’11”) underwent knee surgery. She could be lost for up to six weeks. Gone are four-year starters J.J. Jones and Jennifer Moore, which represents a lot of leadership and talent. Still, Allen coach Kelley Gregoriew has plenty of talent back from last year’s 5A state finalists.

The Eagles are especially strong in the middle with seniors Stare (5’11”) and Catherine Coffey (6’1”). There’s also plenty of offensive potential from 5’11” junior OH Alaina Klarquist, who was named to the USAV A-3 roster. Setting will be handled by senior Amy Woodard, who had the job when Jones was on front row last year. Gregoriew also expects Amanda Carson, Amanda Bayer and Audra Woods to provide more power along with 6’1”Cathy Johnson, a setter who transferred from 3A state qualifier Carthage and could make an impact once she becomes accustomed to the 5A game.

Realignment put Allen back in Region I where they now must go through the Arlington and Amarillo schools if they hope to make a return trip to San Marcos.

“Defense, team unity and quick transition will be the key to the season,” says Gregoriew.

13. Cy Falls
Coach Kathy Stephenson welcomes back five regulars and 12 players overall, led by Courtnee Rhodes. The 5-‘6” setter was all-district as a sophomore but missed much of last season with an injury. Rhodes is healthy again and may even be used on the outside.

Stephenson also is counting on all-district setter/hitter Whitney Donaldson, 5’7” OH Cristina Doris, 5’7” OH Hayley Moore, 5’10” middle Kirsten Monson and 6’5” sophomore middle Jennifer Doris, who was moved up to varsity during district play as a freshman.

“We may not be tall on the outside, but we have good athletes who jump well,” said Stephenson.
“We have a balanced attack, good power and a lot of experience. The key will be chemistry and ball handling”

14. Austin Bowie
Westlake may be attracting most of the attention in Central Texas (and elsewhere), but this is another Austin team capable of making a statement on the state level this year. Coach Jason Landers returns eight from a team that won 25 before being eliminated by Westlake and it is a talented group of athletes. Top seniors include Katieann Stevens, a 5’10” OH; Kelly Cook, a 6’1” RS; and Veronica Godbolt, a 5’9” OH who has D1 soccer potential. Rounding out the starting line up will likely be juniors Becky Stehling, a 6’1” middle with big-time potential; Alex Schultze, a 5’10” middle; and Mickel Price, a 5’6” setter who is a D1 basketball prospect as the starting point guard for Bowie’s basketball team.

“We’ll be solid in the middle and on the outside,” said Landers. “Passing and ball control will be the key. We’re a little injured right now but once everyone gets healthy we should be pretty strong.”

15. Cinco Ranch
The Cougars lost a lot from last year’s squad that fell in a dramatic five-game regional semifinal match to Stratford. Coach Tammy Laurence has good talent returning, however, starting with 6-foot middles Katie Sanders and Carrie Gurnell, who throw up huge blocks. Senior outsides Lexy Spitzer (5’10”) and Christina Sumrow (5’8”) will provide additional firepower. One newcomer to watch is 5’7” freshman setter Kate Choyce. “We’re young,” says Laurence. “The key will be building team unity and trust.”

16. Lake Highlands
Emily Bertrand is gone, but eight seniors are back from a regional semifinalst team that finished 32-9 led by middle/OH Anna Ferguson (5’10”), setter Michaela Huff (5’9”), OH Kristin Durant (5’9”) and DS Megan Rommel. Others expected to contribute are Taylor Inman, DS Mackenzie Short , Gloria Carey and Kendra Hall. Jessica Sullivan, a 6-foot sophomore, gives coach Cory Williams additional size in the middle.

Redistricting moved the Wildcats out of a district that had been dominated by Allen for almost a decade, so Lake Highlands should have a clear path to a district title. And with very little competition in the eastern side of the Region II bracket, the Wildcats should also have a clear path to a second straight trip to the regional semifinals.

17. San Antonio Reagan
Clark and Churchill don’t have a lock on San Antonio bragging rights this year. Rosenthal twins Whitney and Lauren are gone, but coach Mike Carter returns four starters and seven overall from a team that was 23-8 and eliminated by Austin Bowie in the playoffs. Lindsey Yon, one of the state’s premier outsides, is almost 100 percent recovered from November surgery according to Carter.

Additional firepower will come from a couple of sophomores, 5’9” OH Meagan York, who moved up to varsity as a freshman, and 6’0” middle Sarabeth Peele, coming off a solid club season.

“We had a great off-season,” said Carter. “The key will be our ability to play together as a team, but I really like these kids and I expect a lot of them this season.”

18. Boerne
"I'd love to match what we did last year, but I'd really like to go farther," says Boerne coach Troy Errington. Last season, Boerne had the look of a potential 4A state champion only to be eliminated in a shocking upset to Harlingen South.

Leading the returnees is first team all-district performer Brandi Reilly, a 5'11" senior outside. Also back are 5'8" senior outside Brittni Butler and 5'11" senior right side Jamie Quick. Errington has high hopes for 5'10" sophomore middle Monica Desbhanie and 6-foot senior middle Danielle Bochat, who transferred from San Antonio O’Connor.

One of Errington's major concerns heading into the season was how to replace setter Rachel Ford. That will come in the form of junior Heather Maddox who also transferred from O'Connor. Maddox, a member of the powerhouse Alamo 16s, was one of the setters who filled in while Samantha Dabbs was injured. "She helped our offense immediately," said Errington.

Boerne has again loaded its non-district schedule with 5A powers such as Churchill, Clark and will also compete in the Pearland tournament. Errington is willing to risk a few non-district losses in order to prepare his team for a state tournament run. "And I think we can do it," he says. "We lost a lot but we replaced it with a lot of talent."

19. Lubbock Coronado
This could be the year that a Lubbock school makes a statement on the state scene. Coach Brandi Cantrell returns four starters and eight overall members of a team that won 33 matches before being eliminated by Martin in the Region I tournament. Top seniors include middle Kelsey Smith (5’11”) and OH Bailey Brown (5’7”). Setter Robyn Smith, a 5’8” junior with D1 potential, will run the offense that features 5’10” sophomore leaper Kayleigh Giddens, who was second team all-district as a freshman. Junior Courtney Yonke provides solid defense.

20. Highland Park
New coach Michael Dearman inherits a senior-laden team with all but three players back from last year’s 4A state finalist. Senior leadership and state tournament experience comes from 5’11” Maddie Fuller, 5’10” Julia Foran, 5’6” Page Stafford, 5’8” Blair Culwell, 5’7” Audra Janak and little Courtney McIntyre (5’3”). Junior Taylor Stogner (5’11”), who was impressive as a sophomore, adds more power up front.