Capistrano Valley

Coach: John Gipe (15th year).

1995: 6-8, 5-5 in the South Coast League; placed fourth in league and did not advance to the playoffs.

Key returners: K.T. Lamb, 6-0, middle blocker, Sr.; Brooke Overholt, 5-6, opposite, Jr.; Adrienne Shimmel, 5-10, outside hitter, Sr.; Kristin Smith, 5-10, outside hitter, Sr.

Key newcomers: Andy Filbeck, 5-10, setter, Sr.; Kristen Gallup, 6-1, middle blocker, So.; Leighanne McLaughlin, 5-9, outside hitter, Jr.; Sarah Sedgewick, 5-10, middle blocker, Sr.

Outlook: The Cougars are back. Gipe has spent the past three years thinking about this season, when this group of seniors would have the experience to contend for the league title. It would be their first league title since a string of four consecutive titles ended in 1992. “This is a group of kids that we picked out as freshmen,” he said. “Our attitude and our work ethic is the best I’ve ever had.” The group is minus one, last year’s setter Sarah Shick, who left the team after Filbeck transferred from El Toro. The Cougars have good height, but lack depth.