It does not seem so long ago that Daniel Wright set perfect balls out to Jeff Robinson and Mike Hilsabeck as the Centennial boys' volleyball team claimed the state title most conceded from the season's first game.
That was almost a year ago, though, when the Bulldogs completed a perfect season by rolling through Durango in the state championship game. Wright, Robinson, Hilsabeck and a perfect storm of Centennial seniors are graduated, opening the door to the rest of southern Nevada to make a run at the state championship.
Coronado coach Jay Renneker guides one of a handful of teams that could become the class of southern Nevada this year, but even he understands that all teams are beatable, unlike last year with Centennial.
"It's nice to see some parity," Renneker said. "It's making games more exciting."
That is a huge change from last year's foregone conclusions at Centennial, whose perfect season followed that of Basic from two years ago. In fact, no team appears is flashing even the potential to run away and hide from the pack.
"You've just got a lot of even teams trying to find their niche," Renneker said.
Sierra Vista, Centennial, Bishop Gorman, Bonanza and Durango form the Sunset Region group favored in the early going. The Lions are off to a 4-0 start with wins against Centennial, Coronado, Green Valley and Chaparral, although Lions coach Camille McComas cautions that her opponents were hit with injuries.
Nonetheless, Lions senior setter Chad Waldron is one of the city's best and he should pace a strong attack featuring senior middle Brandon Harris.
"The best thing about our team is that they're balanced and experienced," McComas said.
Centennial, though a bit depleted, still returns a force in senior outside hitter Kevin Sagers. The Gaels feature their own outside star with James Wilkes, while Bonanza and Durango are both athletic squads with good potential.
On the Sunrise Region side, Coronado is looking to establish itself in a tricky Southeast Division race that will also feature Green Valley. Silverado lost a number of key players from last season's strong team, while Basic and Foothill have some good talent that is still developing.
"I kind of expect this year for everyone to be pretty evenly matched and tough in our division," Renneker said. "Any of the guys from our division have a shot."
The Northeast Division could feature two of the city's better teams at Rancho and Chaparral. The Rams return senior setter Ryan Huntsman to an experienced team that is a lock for the playoffs, while the Cowboys bring back senior middle Brian Fuller to their traditionally strong program.
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