1. Scarborough: There’s a new coach at Scarborough, but the Red Storm are poised for a big season under Nicole Petherbridge, a former player at Colby College. Only one senior graduated from last year’s team that went 13-3 and made it to the Class A semifinals, and Scarborough brings back plenty of offensive and defensive talent. Junior outside hitter Natalie Moynihan (200 kills, 56 aces) and senior middle hitter and blocker Alana Sawyer (team-high 62 aces, 109 digs, 99 kills) were Varsity Maine All-State picks, and senior setters and opposite hitters Olivia Smith and Julia Strouse are back after SMAA All-Star seasons. The 2021 champs are poised for another run.

2. Biddeford: The defending Class A champions lost some key pieces from last year’s dominant squad. Thirteen seniors are gone, including three pivotal starters, but the Tigers return Varsity Maine Player of the Year Danielle Emerson (168 kills, 114 assists and 94 digs), a setter/outside hitter who can play any position and brings unmatched court vision to the matches. Setter Addison Girard, defensive specialist Emma McAlevey, opposite Natalie Roy and outside hitter/blocker Maeve Donovan are back in starting spots, and freshman Brynn Wilkinson is poised to step up for graduated sister Baylor Wilkinson at middle blocker. Depth might be an issue, defense won’t be.

3. Gorham: The Rams will be one of Class A’s most veteran teams, with 10 seniors on the roster. There’s plenty of talent to go along with the experience. Varsity Maine All-State selection Sophia DiPhilippo (48 aces, 65 digs and a state-best 319 assists) is back at setter. Amber Bretton, one of the conference’s best athletes, is a powerful hitter, Meryk Lewellen (middle hitter) and Caroline Morrell (libero) are returning SMAA all-stars as well, and Lillian Andreasen should be a formidable player opposite Bretton. “We truly have every position covered,” Coach Emma Tirrell said. This should indeed be a good team – and perhaps a championship squad.

4. Yarmouth: New coach Erin Quirk takes over a dominant program that has won four straight Class B titles but bid farewell to Varsity Maine All-State picks Dorcas Bolese and Brianna Torres, and six seniors altogether. The Clippers, however, should be a good bet to be at the top of the class again. Senior outside hitter and defensive specialist Annie Vinnakota was a Western Maine Conference All-Star and is the leader of the team, while middle hitters Lilli Burrows, a junior, and Grace Keaney, a sophomore, played key roles last season and should step into bigger parts this year. Yarmouth has strong hitters and is solid up front. The back defense will need to be there as well.

5. Kennebunk: The Rams improved from 2-14 in 2021 to 7-7 last year, and should be even better this season. Few teams will be better defensively, as Kennebunk has a returning second-team all-SMAA pick in sophomore Quinn Wherley and an honorable mention in senior Dalia Nelson at the libero and defensive specialist positions. Charlotte MacDonald, another sophomore, reads blocks well and is a smart distributor at setter, and Danielle Hersome could emerge as a formidable middle hitter. Talia Kellum, Jaime Harrington and Hannah Roche are talents at the outside and opposite hitter positions. The Rams are also sound when serving, evidenced by a 97% service rate in their opening win over Massabesic.

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