THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

1. Dos Pueblos (SS-Northern)

Defending Southern Section champions count Nicole Dishman, Sara Ovadia and Amber Clifford among five returning starters and increase their depth with off-season additions.

2. Peninsula (SS-Central)

Entire lineup returns from CIF-WSCGA championship team, including Annika Windon and Shannon Yocum. Talented junior Mariko Makabe returns from injury.

3. Palm Desert (SS-Eastern)

Aztecs resemble 2001 team that finished fourth in the section, with Suzie Astle and Khila Osborne returning from injuries to join Erin Stashi, Alana Erlandson and Jaymee Braun.

4. Marina (SS-Southern)

Jennifer Osborn, the CIF-WSCGA individual champion, and Jane Chin are one of the top twosomes in Southern California. A section title is possible if the supporting cast comes through.

5. San Clemente (SS-Southern)

Marissa Patterson and Ryann O’Toole lead way for Tritons, who are deep and looking to improve on seventh-place finish in 2002 Southern Divisional.

6. Santa Margarita (SS-Central)

Kristin Torok and Madison Butler return for team that finished seventh in section last year. Capistrano Valley transfer Kathy Suarez is expected to make immediate impact.

7. Long Beach Wilson (SS-Eastern)

Jenni Tangtiphaiboontana graduated, meaning Wilson won’t dominate, but Kim Lorenzana and Kimberly Punyasavatsut return, keeping Bruins a force.

8. Murrieta Valley (SS-Eastern)

Chante Markley, Ashley Childers and Megan Barbour return for a team that has gone undefeated the last two regular seasons and finished ninth in the section last year.

9. Torrance (SS-Eastern)

Sophomore Angela Park leads a young squad that finished sixth in the section last season. It won’t be as strong without Maria Ham, who quit team for personal reasons.

10. Keppel (SS-Central)

Tina Eng and Mindy Kimura lead the Aztecs, who have been on rise the last two seasons and could be the section’s surprise team.

-- Peter Yoon