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Forestville High School volleyball coach Anastasia Woodruff has experienced highs and lows over the last two seasons. In 2008, she guided the Knights to the County 3A/2A/1A League title and the top seed in the 1A South Region playoffs. Last year, Forestville dipped to a 2-11 record.

After seeing the Knights' first two days of practice this week, Woodruff said she is starting to feel considerably more optimistic about the 2010 season.

"They really looked good," Woodruff said after Tuesday's practice. "I was very happy with how well they passed and hit the ball. I think it's going to be a good season and I'm looking forward to it. Our goal is to win another [league] championship in the next two years. Like I told the girls, it's up to them. They have to work hard and they have to want it."

Forestville will have Amber Baker, Chanise Locke, Enijah Fogle, Miracle Mims, Myshel Newkirk and Tiffany Burnett on the floor for the season opener Sept. 14 against Friendly.

Riverdale Baptist

Crusaders' eighth-year coach Hank Lloyd will have a tall, youthful team on the floor for the season debut two weeks from today against King's Academy, but that has not downplayed his long-term goals in the Maryland Independent Schools Athletic League.

"My main goal this year is to beat the top two teams in the league from last year, Model School and Lanham Christian," said Lloyd, whose team will face both teams in October. "I know that we're young, but I think this group has plenty of talent. We're just reloading and hoping to get back to the championship."

Riverdale Baptist's starters include Brooke Archer, Lauren Chase, Tiana Williams, Nisi Morgan, Courtney Warren and Jenny Simms, while Tasia Butler, Regan Ayres, Opeyomi Onabajo and Maya Singleton will get playing time off the bench. Riverdale reached the MISAL title match in 2008 but lost to Washington Christian. The Crusaders will face 2009 MISAL runner-up Lanham Christian on Oct. 1 at Washington Bible College in Lanham.

Bishop McNamara

McNamara first-year co-coaches Terry Ford and Ivante Bush take over a senior-laden Mustangs' squad. Ford said many of the starting spots were still vacant as of Monday. The Mustangs open the season at Bishop Ireton (Va.) on Sept 2.

"The best thing about this team is that we'll have a lot of seniors who have a lot of experience," said Ford. "We'll probably have 13 girls on the team, but as of now they're still going head-to-head to see who will be on the floor next week. This will be a busy week of practice. We have mainly seniors, but we have one freshman, Savannah Johnson, who is very tall and athletic and she will get a lot of playing time."

tblack@gazette.net