Mira Costa Looks Like Team to Beat

With the Southern Section split into nine divisions for state playoff purposes, the strength and depth this year appear to be in Division I-A, which includes top-ranked Manhattan Beach Mira Costa, two-time defending state Division I champion Newport Harbor, Santa Ana Mater Dei, Simi Valley Royal, Irvine and Huntington Beach.

Mira Costa is led by senior setter Lexy Beers and outside hitters Jamie Grass, Brooke Donahue and Kristin Nelson.

The South Bay also features one of the most dynamic players in the Southland in 5-foot-4 outside hitter Chrissie Zartman, who helped lead Torrance Bishop Montgomery to the Division III state final last year and will play at UCLA next year.

This weekend’s Dave Mohs Memorial Tournament at Huntington Beach Edison will be a good gauge for many of the Southland’s top teams.

Palisades is the three-time defending City Section champion. The Dolphins lost section co-players of the year Jennifer Badran-Grycan and Lauren Carter, but history--they have won 20 of 21 City titles--makes them the perennial favorite.

Sylmar has several key players back from last year’s City runner-up.