Boys’ Volleyball

* The Proven: Corona del Mar, which can’t defend its Division I title since it has been moved down to Division IV in the new playoff format, lost player of the year Kevin Hansen (Stanford) and Greg Stampley (USC). But the Sea Kings still have two big threats in Brian Gallagher and Charlie Alshuler to go with setter Evan Burden. Mater Dei returns one of the county’s best setters, Mike Gazzano, and there are also returning starters Paul Munoz and Joe Groff from a team that reached the Division II final last season. Newport Harbor lost in the Division I final, but it has to replace Billy Clayton, now starting at Stanford. Blake Tippett is the Sailors’ go-to player.

* The Promising: Capistrano Valley is led by one of the best middle blockers in the county, UC Irvine-bound Nic Vislay, and outside hitter Jared Levy. Marina lost Jeff Wootton and Rob Kijewski to Long Beach State, but four starters return, including Brigham Young-bound Steffin Rangel, so the Vikings should challenge Fountain Valley for the Sunset title. Foothill can prove itself early with a tough nonleague schedule that includes matches against Mater Dei and Santa Margarita. Setter Ryan Burgess leads the Knights.

* Preseason Top 10: 1. Santa Margarita--Talented team has two go-to players and appears ready to make a championship charge; 2. Mater Dei--Deep, experienced, talented, what else is there? 3. Irvine--UCLA-bound Kris Kraushaar, one of the county’s best players, leads the Vaqueros; 4. Capistrano Valley--Cougars are South Coast’s best, primed for a breakout season; 5. Fountain Valley--First-year Coach Todd Hanson has team with talent, and expectations; 6. Newport Harbor--Sailors have to pick up the slack for junior outside hitter Brian Gaeta, who will miss the season after undergoing knee surgery; 7. Corona del Mar--At 6-6, Forrest Mack gives the Sea Kings some power in the middle; 8. San Clemente--With Nick Gardner, Tritons should challenge Capistrano Valley in South Coast; 9. Marina--Beau Peters, a 6-5 setter, also returns for the Vikings; 10. Foothill--Knights will get a chance to make some noise in the brutal Division I bracket of the Dave Mohs tournament.

* Key Dates: March 9-10, San Diego Tournament of Champions; March 16-17, 19, Dave Mohs Memorial tournament, Edison HS; April 27-28, Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions; May 9, 11, 15, 18, 23, Southern Section playoffs; May 26, Southern Section finals, Cypress College.

* League Favorites: Academy--St. Margaret’s; Century--Foothill; Empire--Cypress; Garden Grove--Pacifica; Golden West--Tustin; Olympic--Brethren Christian; Orange--Valencia; Pacific Coast--Corona del Mar; Sea View--Irvine; Serra--Santa Margarita; South Coast--Capistrano Valley; Sunset--Fountain Valley.

* Fast Fact: The Southern Section increased from three playoff divisions to five, based strictly on enrollment. The traditional powers are scattered. Capistrano Valley and Fountain Valley are in Division I. Irvine and San Clemente join Manhattan Beach Mira Costa and L.A. Loyola in Division II. Santa Margarita, Mater Dei and Newport Harbor are in Division III with Santa Barbara. Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach are in Division IV with Santa Ynez, which has won section titles in five of the past six seasons. Brethren Christian and St. Margaret’s are two of the county’s top teams in Division V.