There are a number of high school volleyball teams in the Kanawha Valley that have made success a habit in the past few years - accumulating state titles and tournament experience once reserved to a select few.

Surrounding schools are learning to play at a championship level, and the techniques of winning appear to have spread throughout the Valley.

Capital coach Lynn Hill said: "This is going to really be an awesome season to watch volleyball in West Virginia. I don't really see any dominance. There's a lot of good teams, which should make for good competition all around, and surely some surprises in November."

The season begins Wednesday in West Virginia, with teams trudging through a campaign of 50-some matches in preparation for the state tournament in November.

Here's a look at the Kanawha Valley teams that made it to the state tournament last year and some others to watch. (Team records and state ranking at the end of the 2007 regular season in parentheses):

Winfield (29-6, No. 5 AA): After winning the Class AA state title in 2006, the Generals returned a majority of their weapons for 2007.

Reaching the state tournament for the eighth straight year with almost 30 wins, it seemed the Generals were poised to defend their AA title. The Generals were promptly shown the door after a first-round loss to Ritchie County.

"We had a team that could beat anybody," said Paul Chinuntdet, then an assistant coach, and now head coach. "But our girls thought it was just going to be an easy road trip. We had a fairly easy sectional and we just got complacent."

The underclass players, though, were watching and learning.

"In a way, losing in the states has been a moment of inspiration instead of heartache for this year's squad," said Chinuntdet. "They saw the mistakes that last year's team made, and they don't want it to happen to them. Now they want to practice, they want to learn, they want to get better and be ready to play. We've grown up"

The Generals return 10 players, but with a heavily loaded senior squad last year, there isn't much floor experience returning. Aside from losing seven seniors and having to recreate the team dynamic, the Generals will be moving up to Class AAA.

"We're one of the smallest AAA schools and they put us in with Ripley, Parkersburg and Parkersburg South [in the postseason]. We're going to have to learn to play volleyball at a higher level, then step it up two or three levels," Chinuntdet said.

He feels the Generals' back line is solid with senior libero Jessie Gooch (5-4), setter Chelsey Chinuntdet (5-4) and freshman transfer Sarah Bailey (5-4) using their quickness to cover the floor. He looks for junior Rebecca Lovejoy (6-0) to be a match breaker.

"She's a big hitter. When she's on her game, she can be unstoppable," Paul Chinuntdet said.

Senior Katie Avery (5-11) is another player that can make a difference.

"I'm trying to find alternative ways to get both Katie and Rebecca involved in the match as much as possible," Paul Chinuntdet said.

Charleston Catholic (36-21, No. 4 A): Charleston Catholic has steadily improved and advanced one step closer to a Class A title each of the past two seasons.

The Fighting Irish made the state tournament in 2006, but fell in the opening quarterfinal round. In 2007, they won a school-record 36 matches and reached the state tournament semifinals before loosing to eventual champion Wirt County.

Coach Vince Stricker feels his 2008 team is more seasoned.

"We're just as good defensively as last year, but I think offensively we have a little more firepower," he said.

The Irish look to get that firepower out of returning second team all-state middle hitter sophomore Katie Stricker (5-10), all-state honorable mention weakside hitter, senior captain Meghan Smith (5-6), and freshman middle hitter Mackenzie Polen (5-11).

Providing balance to the team, coach Stricker looks to his liberos in senior captain Lauren Sassler (5-2) and Alison Gregory (5-4).

"We want to build on our past success. Keep doing what we do well, get better and win matches," Vince Stricker said. "We want to make the state tournament and win the title. I think that's our bottom line."

George Washington (51-5-3, No. 2 AAA): GW was the state champion in 2005 and 2006 but lost in the first round of the 2007 state tournament to eventual state runner-up Musselman.

There are a number of high school volleyball teams in the Kanawha Valley that have made success a habit in the past few years - accumulating state titles and tournament experience once reserved to a select few.

Surrounding schools are learning to play at a championship level, and the techniques of winning appear to have spread throughout the Valley.

Capital coach Lynn Hill said: "This is going to really be an awesome season to watch volleyball in West Virginia. I don't really see any dominance. There's a lot of good teams, which should make for good competition all around, and surely some surprises in November."

The season begins Wednesday in West Virginia, with teams trudging through a campaign of 50-some matches in preparation for the state tournament in November.

Here's a look at the Kanawha Valley teams that made it to the state tournament last year and some others to watch. (Team records and state ranking at the end of the 2007 regular season in parentheses):

Winfield (29-6, No. 5 AA): After winning the Class AA state title in 2006, the Generals returned a majority of their weapons for 2007.

Reaching the state tournament for the eighth straight year with almost 30 wins, it seemed the Generals were poised to defend their AA title. The Generals were promptly shown the door after a first-round loss to Ritchie County.

"We had a team that could beat anybody," said Paul Chinuntdet, then an assistant coach, and now head coach. "But our girls thought it was just going to be an easy road trip. We had a fairly easy sectional and we just got complacent."

The underclass players, though, were watching and learning.

"In a way, losing in the states has been a moment of inspiration instead of heartache for this year's squad," said Chinuntdet. "They saw the mistakes that last year's team made, and they don't want it to happen to them. Now they want to practice, they want to learn, they want to get better and be ready to play. We've grown up"

The Generals return 10 players, but with a heavily loaded senior squad last year, there isn't much floor experience returning. Aside from losing seven seniors and having to recreate the team dynamic, the Generals will be moving up to Class AAA.

"We're one of the smallest AAA schools and they put us in with Ripley, Parkersburg and Parkersburg South [in the postseason]. We're going to have to learn to play volleyball at a higher level, then step it up two or three levels," Chinuntdet said.

He feels the Generals' back line is solid with senior libero Jessie Gooch (5-4), setter Chelsey Chinuntdet (5-4) and freshman transfer Sarah Bailey (5-4) using their quickness to cover the floor. He looks for junior Rebecca Lovejoy (6-0) to be a match breaker.

"She's a big hitter. When she's on her game, she can be unstoppable," Paul Chinuntdet said.

Senior Katie Avery (5-11) is another player that can make a difference.

"I'm trying to find alternative ways to get both Katie and Rebecca involved in the match as much as possible," Paul Chinuntdet said.

Charleston Catholic (36-21, No. 4 A): Charleston Catholic has steadily improved and advanced one step closer to a Class A title each of the past two seasons.

The Fighting Irish made the state tournament in 2006, but fell in the opening quarterfinal round. In 2007, they won a school-record 36 matches and reached the state tournament semifinals before loosing to eventual champion Wirt County.

Coach Vince Stricker feels his 2008 team is more seasoned.

"We're just as good defensively as last year, but I think offensively we have a little more firepower," he said.

The Irish look to get that firepower out of returning second team all-state middle hitter sophomore Katie Stricker (5-10), all-state honorable mention weakside hitter, senior captain Meghan Smith (5-6), and freshman middle hitter Mackenzie Polen (5-11).

Providing balance to the team, coach Stricker looks to his liberos in senior captain Lauren Sassler (5-2) and Alison Gregory (5-4).

"We want to build on our past success. Keep doing what we do well, get better and win matches," Vince Stricker said. "We want to make the state tournament and win the title. I think that's our bottom line."

George Washington (51-5-3, No. 2 AAA): GW was the state champion in 2005 and 2006 but lost in the first round of the 2007 state tournament to eventual state runner-up Musselman.

Coach Missy Smith has girls on her team that have been around success at the highest level. They've practiced and played with girls that won titles, and they've learned first-hand what it takes to become a championship team.

"Our goal this year is the same as every other year, to win the state title," said Smith. "These seniors don't want to be denied."

Smith has to replace three 6-foot-plus graduates. She admits her team is smaller, younger and needs more experience, but she still dependable athletes in senior hitters Michelle Rainey (5-8) and Katelyn Whitt (5-7) and senior setter Chelsie Raker (5-5).

"Michelle [Rainey] is super competitive, she has a lot of heart, and that's something you just can't teach," Smith said. "Katelyn [Whitt] is my perfectionist, she looks after everyone in the gym. Chelsie [Raker] is my floor general; everything goes through her."

In her fourth year as coach, Smith knows what it takes to build a champion.

"Our girls are going to have to stay healthy, and it takes a lot of support from the school, the administration and the parents,'' she said. "You need to be playing your best in November, and of course it takes some luck."

Capital (25-22-7, No. 8): Capital has a history of winning at volleyball. The 2008 campaign will coincide with the 10-year anniversary of the Cougars' first state title in 1998. Since that crown, the Cougars won another title in 2001, and were runners-up in 2002, '04 and '05.

Coach Lynn Hill returns seven seniors and a junior who saw substantial playing time last season.

Although Hill emphasizes the true team nature of the sport, she does return three-year varsity setter Meghan Lucas (5-9). Lucas was a second team all-state selection and a Mountain State Athletic Conference first-team honoree.

A 2006 all-state honorable mention hitter for Charleston Catholic, transfer Emily Peden at 6-3 should make a difference with her height, but her most valued contribution is the positive impact she's had on the players around her.

"Each of my players understands that it takes six, not one or two to win," said Hill. "There's no star, just all solid, quality players.''

Hill's team also has aspirations of winning a state championship.

"We understand what it takes,'' she said. "The girls have to communicate and play together. Push themselves and each other to see their way through the state tournament.

"With so many good teams and with so many matches you play throughout the season, you really have to have endurance to make it all the way. You have to have that drive and desire clear up until the end."

Buffalo (23-20, No. 7 A): Buffalo has made it to the state tournament five of the last six seasons. But after losing six starters (including three all-state selections) from last year's team, coach Brian Null said: "This year we're not going to reload, we're going to rebuild."

With no middle school volleyball feeder system in Putnam County, Null has to develop the skills of his athletes quickly, turning novices into all-staters in four brief years.

Returning for Buffalo will be second team all-state selection Kaitlyn Scott (5-6), who will play a variety of positions. Getting Scott the ball is a priority in Null's strategy.

"If the rules allowed, we'd let her hit the ball all three times," he joked.

Other than Noel Whittington (5-6), there aren't any players on the Bison roster that saw substantial floor time a year ago.

Herbert Hoover (32-10): The Huskies return much of the team that got them into the state tournament, including Class AA second team all-state setter Makia Mogielski, and all-state honorable mention outside hitter Paige Adkins.

Other teams to watch: Riverside (19-17) looks to be in a good position to build on last year's success with four returning starters in Alex Schmidt, Jessica Brown, Ashley Bradshaw and Haley Humphrey. Riverside will hold an all-AAA tournament, which should give the Warriors plenty of top-flight competition and valuable experience.

St. Albans looks to replace a pair of all-state honorable mention honorees. The Red Dragons have most of the floor covered with experience in returning starters Shelby Paxton, Bailey Gillespie, Sierra Clark and Destiny Pettry. The Dragons will look to young talent to fill the vacant spots.

South Charleston will look to 2007 all-state special honorable mention setter Bailey Ruddle to guide her team into the postseason.

Reach Nicholas Haynes at onther...@yahoo.com.