The quality of Class 2A volleyball was so good a year ago that it created a Region III logjam for Brazos Valley teams on the path to the state tournament.

The University Interscholastic League might have done those teams a favor when it issued its new districts, spreading them over three regions for the next two years.

While area 2A schools fell short of qualifying for the state tournament, they still had three of the four teams in the Region III tournament in Tyler -- Centerville, Anderson-Shiro and Franklin.

Cameron is a new addition to the 2A talent pool as the new season begins. The Lady Yoe were a Class 3A Region III team playing at Bryan High School, and they were very young.

"Things went well, and we had a lot of girls show up," Cameron coach Linda Richter said of her team's first workouts Monday. "We're really excited about the upcoming season and the possibilities that 2A can open for us."

Success last year was hardly limited to 2A, though. A total of 14 BV teams played in the regional quarterfinals, and the area had teams in regional tournaments in every classification. Three teams -- Brenham, Caldwell and Normangee -- reached the state tournament. Normangee defeated rival Iola in the regional championship match.

There's a strong contingent of players back at 3A Caldwell. Sondra Flippen, who returns for her senior season, was the most valuable player from her district. Setter Allison Alford, the award winner for her position, is a junior now.

Flippen recorded 345 kills and 70 blocks from her middle blocker spot. Alford recorded 700 assists and still had 160 kills.

Cameron has two players recognized among the best in their former district (24-3A) back this year. Junior Maeson Mondrik, a versatile multi-sport athlete, was Offensive MVP. Brook Brashear, the top libero in the district, was back on the court Monday for the opening day of practice after suffering a torn ACL in the spring.

"Maeson Mondrik made the all-regional team at the regional tournament last year and then went to state in the 100 meters," said Richter, who also coaches the Lady Yoe track team. "Brook Brashear has also been to state [in track]. She hurt her knee and had the surgery as quickly as she could. She just got cleared to play and was all over the place today, jumping and diving for balls on the floor."

Kaylan Spink, who averaged 9.5 assists in the playoffs, returns at setter, where she was Newcomer of the Year. Among the other top returning players for the Lady Yoe are Wanetia Adams and Jenea Rhodes.

Leon returns setter Chelby Stanford (1,121 assists) and district Newcomer of the Year Amy Holt, who are both juniors. It is a deep team that also brings back Allison Carrigan -- who recorded 489 kills and 112 blocks -- along with Kori Charlton and Sharon Coulter. A tough bracket draw eliminated Leon short of the regional tournament last year, but many of the players made up for it by playing on Leon's state-qualifying basketball team.

Leon's district changed dramatically with a move into Region II, where the Lady Cougars will compete with 14-2A teams as far north as Blooming Grove and Malakoff.

Franklin goes to a different district, 16-2A, but is also in Region II. The Lady Lions should be led by another all-around athlete in Janie Neyland, who had 406 kills and 382 digs her junior season.

Richter was quick to point out that a region change -- and even a classification change -- provides no assurances.

"Poth is in our region and they are the defending state champions," Richter said.

Brenham qualified for its fourth regional final in five years, won it, and advanced to the state title game a season ago. The Cubettes lost setter Bethany Yeager to graduation but return another all-state tournament player in Caroline Young, who has committed to play at Southern Methodist.

Young, with 375 kills and 104 blocks, was District 18-4A's Most Valuable Attacker as a junior, while now-sophomore Kelsey Weynand was Newcomer of the Year. Senior outside hitter Scout Brooks and setter Molly Duge are other leaders that return.

Playoff teams Iola, Normangee and North Zulch are in District 22-A.

While Normangee graduated Hilaree Hodges, the Lady Panthers could still contend for state on a team that includes Defensive MVP Leah Munsey, Newcomer of the Year Bayleigh Biddle (55 kills in playoffs), middle blocker Jilly Riley and defensive specialists Lacy Seelye.

Iola's Mollie Martinez was co-MVP of her district and is a senior now. She averaged 10 kills per match. Co-Newcomer Stormi Evans is also a senior.

Setter Katie Gilbert and Mallorie Ferrell lead North Zulch.