WARDEN - After losing eight players to graduation and a few to fall softball, head coach Dennis Treat thrust several young players into starting roles for Warden volleyball last season.

Now, with those players gaining a wealth of experience and a few returning from softball, Warden looks to excel in the Central Washington 2B South conference this season.

The Cougars go from being one of the smallest schools in the 1A South Central Athletic Conference to a titan at the 2B level.

"I think it will put is in a better situation to compete," Treat said. "I think for volleyball that can be an advantage for us. I think that we will compete very well in our new league this year."

Last season, the Cougars were able to make the 1A SCAC District Tournament but lost their first two matches and were eliminated.

Treat explained Warden's lack of a powerful outside hitter and inability to serve receive effectively plagued the team.

"We were in rebuilding mode last year," he said. "This year I think we got a couple of those kids back that went to play softball and we have a team that I think has gained a lot of experience over the summer and last season."

Outside hitters Shania Kisler and Allycia Gonzales return to the Cougars as well as Aaliyah Enriquez, who elected to play fall softball last year.

Enriquez played volleyball as a freshman and will add much needed heighth to Warden's front line.

"When she played for us as a freshman she did a great job," Treat said.

Laurissa Kisler will also return as the team's setter. Last year as a sophomore, Laurissa did a masterful job of setting up her teammates with scoring opportunities.

"I hope to have her be our setter for a couple more years," Treat said. "She's done a great job."

Although the Cougars won't have to deal with SCAC power Connell anymore, the team will face tough foes in Kittitas and White Swan.

Both Kittitas and White Swan advanced to the state tournament last season, but neither team was able to win a match.

Treat expects to contend in the new division if his team can move the ball and communicate well.

"I think the key for us though will be how well we can pass and how well we can serve receive," he said. "That was an area last year that we really did struggle with. I think if we can cure that problem. If we can serve receive at a respectable level I think we could be right in contention for a state berth."

Although practice has just begun for Warden, Treat likes the team's attitude so far and is excited to work with an extremely deep roster.

The growing pains of last season appear to have paid off.

"I like the spirit of the team," Treat said. "We have some work to do in conditioning. I don't know if we came into our camp, our preseason ready in that regard.

"I think this team has the opportunity of being one of the deepest teams that I've had since I returned to Warden."