PREVIEW:Teams hoping for more playoff runs

Up from the junior varsity team is junior Angela DeVera, who will handle the setting duties, and sophomore Itria Litria. A freshman who has shown promise is Kim Van Dyke, who comes from a long line of successful Van Dyke athletes at Bell-Jeff.

"Our success will come only if we can get the ball to our outside hitters with some consistency," Segura said.

BURBANK

Despite showing moments of promise in 2005, the Bulldogs finished the season with an 8-8 record.

With a senior-led team, Burbank Coach Wayne Teng is expecting his group to pick up some more wins this season.

"We have seven seniors on the team," he said. "We might not have the same size as other teams, but we have some skilled players who will help us."

Joining the Pacific League is intriguing to Teng.

"I think we should be able to compete a little better in the Pacific League," he said. "Arcadia and Pasadena are going to be tough, along with Crescenta Valley. And over at Burroughs, they have a pretty good team."

Returning for the Bulldogs are senior outside hitters Natasha Bonsonn and Kristian Luna. The setter is senior Lani Bowman and senior Dominique Allen will be a middle blocker.

"We had a good summer, and we learned a lot," Teng said. "I hope that's going to help us out."