AT A GLANCE

* THE PROVEN: Two of the top players in the nation, 6-foot-9 outside hitter Billy Strickland and 6-5 middle blocker Will Curtis, are at Harvard-Westlake. Littlerock 6-5 middle blocker Chris Gorny has signed with Brigham Young and can attack from anywhere on the court. Alemany’s Richard Nelson, who has signed with UCLA, is the best setter in the region. Crespi outside hitter Marcin Jagoda was an All-Mission League selection last season. Royal middle blocker Cam Dickson was a Times’ second-team selection last season as a junior. Quartz Hill outside hitter Brandan Butchart has the Rebels thinking Golden League title.

* THE PROMISING: Chatsworth, with strong middle blockers David Lurth and Shekabe Nazari, could challenge in the Northwest Valley Conference. Doug English, a 6-foot-3 outside hitter at Crescenta Valley, makes the Falcons a threat in the Pacific League. Taft 6-5 middle blocker Mike Gledhill, a junior, is an offensive force. Campbell Hall 6-3 setter Tanner Ragland runs the show for a young team. Eric Milmont, a 6-5 middle blocker, puts Oxnard in strong position to win the first Pacific View League title. Scott Ricks, a 6-7 middle blocker, could bring Canyon a Foothill League championship.

* FAST FACT: Monroe, in the City Section 3-A Division, was the only team in the region to win a championship last year. Taft, Newbury Park, Campbell Hall and Crespi made it to at least the semifinals in their respective sections.