All-district volleyball returning players

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CANDICE ADEMA, Ripon Christian: The 5-foot-10-inch setter has a combination of size and skill, and she averaged 8.6 assists per game as RC went 20-7 last season. She also had 99 kills, 66 aces and 200 digs as a junior.

CAITLIN BENNING, Hilmar: The 5-10 middle blocker made a name for herself with a strong showing last summer, then followed up with 307 kills and 71 blocks for the Yellowjackets in the fall.

KIRSTEN DUREN, Ripon: The Bee's Player of the Year as a junior led the Indians to the Northern California Division IV playoffs last season. The 5-3 hitter averaged 4.1 kills and a block per match for the Indians, who are 91-25 in her three varsity campaigns.

MEREDITH PERKINS, Ripon: A 5-3 setter and libero (defensive specialist), Perkins averaged 11 digs a game in last year's five playoff matches as the Indians reached the Division IV regional semifinals.

JACI POWELL, Oakdale: The Valley Oak League Outstanding Hitter, the 5-10 leaper had 246 kills and 296 digs while leading the Mustangs to a 26-9 record.

ANDREA TERPSTRA, Ripon Christian: She verbally accepted a scholarship from University of the Pacific after piling up 298 kills, 97 blocks and 49 aces as a junior. The 6-2 front-row player was named to the Junior Olympic all-tournament team this summer after helping Delta Volleyball to the under-17 bronze medal.

AT THE NET

Mark this date: If you see only one match, make it the Sept. 17 showdown between Ripon and Christian Brothers -- a repeat of the last two Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV finals. Christian Brothers won both title matches.

Experience counts: Oakdale returns seven major contributors from a 26-9 team. The Mustangs made the Division III final in 2006, and coach Shelli Ponce has a group capable of matching that feat.

Big ... and rebuilding: In contrast to Oakdale, many of the district's large-school programs are rebuilding after heavy losses to graduation. Only one All-District player -- Oakdale's Jaci Powell -- returns to a large school, so there could be lots of early-season shuffling in the rankings.

-- RICHARD T. ESTRADA