AUBURN MOUNTAINVIEW LIONS

• Coach: Nicole Claudon, second year

• Last year: first in SPSL 3A with 8-2 league record, 16-5 overall. Fifth-place finish at the state 3A tournament.

• Top returners: Kaylie Paul, junior, libero, 5-4; Molly Cichosz, senior, outside hitter, 6-1; Maya Williamson, senior, inside hitter, 6-0; Savanna Cappa, senior, libero, 5-2; and Delaney Ralph, senior, middle blocker,/right side hitter 5-10.

• Impact newcomers: Alison Davenport, sophomore, middle blocker/outside hitter/right side hitter, 5-10; and Kiley Lewis, freshman, outside hitter/middle blocker, 6-0.

• Outlook: The Lions made school history by snagging the program’s first state trophy with a fifth-place finish at the 3A tournament last season. Since the Lions began play in 2004 they have qualified for the state tourney eight consecutive seasons. Although SPSL 3A MVP Sam Odren is lost to graduation, the Lions’ cupboard is anything but bare. Molly Cichosz and Maya Williamson, first-team All-SPSL 3A selections from last year, are back to key the team offensively, with senior Savanna Cappa, a second-team All-SPSL 3A pick last year, returning at libero. The Lions host the Puget Sound Adidas Invitational on Sept. 14. Auburn Mountainview begins league play at 7:15 p.m. Sept. 26 at Bonney Lake.