After sweeping through Three Rivers District play 10-0, the Buffaloes season ended unexpectedly when they lost in the district tournament championship to an Auburn team they had beaten twice during the regular season. Despite losing four starters and only having two return, third year coach Karen Radford believes this year's team will be ready to make another run for the title.

"We've got a couple of big shoes to fill, but we've got girls stepping up already," Radford said.

The next group of stars for the Buffaloes comes in the form of five seniors, all of whom played on last year's regular season undefeated team. Erika Snellings, Lindsey Profitt, Heather Farmer, Terri Wade and Natalie Walters are all veterans of last year's 20-4 team.

A key match will be when Floyd County plays Auburn on Oct. 7.

Auburn

The Eagles are hoping for a return to the postseason.

Back are three starters from a team that went 15-6 a year ago. There is only one senior.

"We've got several coming back from last year's team and a few coming up from a very strong JV team," coach Sherry Millirons said.

Leading the way for the Eagles will be underclassmen Jana Mosby, Heather Akers, Kara Keith and Chelsey Sutton.

Millirons believes Auburn has a shot at defending its title.

"We've got to improve on our defense," Millirons said. "We control the ball really well, but sometimes we don't react very quick defensively."Radford

Another team that hopes to be in the hunt for the Three Rivers district crown is the Bobcats.

With three returning starters, Radford hopes to improve upon last year's 7-13 record and fifth-place district finish.

Third-year coach Toni Wright is aiming for the Bobcats to finish second or above and with the way practice has started out, that looks like a strong possibility.

"This year's team has shown so much excitement already," Wright said. "They are already further along than last year." Radford will be led by outside hitting seniors Whitney King and Emily White, and by junior middle hitter Nikki Sydnor.Giles

Third-year coach Erin Burton hopes the Spartans will be better than last year's 13-9 squad.

Improving will be tricky given Giles' loss of six seniors.

"We are going to play very defensively because that is going to be a key factor," Burton said.

Junior Emily Westmoreland has started since she was a freshman and will be expected to perform well. Other key players are senior Mandy Havens and Susan Lucas.

Eastern Montgomery

The Mustangs are counting on a couple of returning seniors and two talented juniors. Seniors Lindsey Hale and Stacy Ragland hope to help the Mustangs improve upon their one-win campaign from a year ago.

Supporting them will be upcoming juniors Bridgette Creed and Amber Harvey who have shown second year coach Brent Holt that they have what it takes to lift EastMont to the next level.

Pulaski County

Of the River Ridge District participants in the valley, the Cougars appear the most likely to challenge back-to-back state champion Cave Spring in district play.

Pulaski County boasts a large senior class with seven returning for their final year. Seniors who played on last year's 12-8 team include Beth Alderman, Lauryn Alley, Greta Blevins, Gari Clark, Kelly Martin, Tera Reighand and Kristin Shumate. The team spent the summer playing volleyball by participating in a six-week Roanoke summer league and attending a Virginia Tech team camp. Head coach Michelle Alley believes all the extra work could lead to good things for the Cougars.

"This group of seniors has made varsity since 10th grade," Alley said. "So far this year they've worked harder and had a better work ethic."

Blacksburg

New coach Karl Lippa hopes to bring stability to a program that needs it. The Bruins have had five coaches in six years. Lippa, a former assistant at Auburn, intends to import elements of that program to Blacksburg.

"I'm for aggressive serving and really good defense," Lippa said.

Leaders will include seniors Holly Liskey, Stephanie Cothren and Meredith Sterrett. There is also a good group of juniors including Paige Greenberg and Courtney Broere.

Lippa has set a team goal to reach the district finals.

Christiansburg

The Blue Demons hope to improve upon their three-win season of a year ago. The Demons return two senior starters, middle hitter Rachel Garvey and defensive specialists Maddie Marcenelle, who will be expected to handle much of the load.

"I expected them to set a good example on and off the court to help the younger girls improve on their skills," Coach Liz Hollie said.

Narrows

The Green Wave finished third in the Mountain Empire District last year and with 12 upperclassmen on the roster, improvement is the objective.

Erin Yearout-Patton takes over as head coach. The transition to the new regime has gone well.

"These girls have the best attitudes and their work ethic is incredible," she said.

Narrows's success will hinge on the play of key seniors Erica Lindsey and Brianna Lawson.