FROM THE PRESS BOX: A GLIMPSE INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL AT THE 2022 VOLLEYBALL SEASON (2021-12-02)

Tioga made a run at the Class D championship to highlight the 2021 volleyball season in the Valley, while Athens and Waverly made early exits in the postseason, and Sayre's struggles continued.

With the season still about nine months away, the crystal ball is a bit cloudy, but we should be able to get a glimpse of what the 2022 season holds.

Athens Lady Wildcats: After losing seven very experienced seniors from the 2020 team, a young Lady Wildcats team never really found its footing in 2021, finishing with a 6-10 record.

Athens graduates two seniors, albeit good ones in Hannah Walker and Ally Martin, but returns one of the best players in the NTL in Jenny Ryan, as well as a pair of talented sophomores-to-be in Kassie Babcock and Ella Coyle.

Prediction: The Lady Wildcats will need its group of returning seniors to pick up their play, and will also need two or three players from this year's JV  team to contribute if they are to challenge for a Large School title. ... 2022 record: 9-7.

Sayre Lady Redskins: The Lady Redskins picked up an early win, but lost their final 11 matches of the season. Despite the losses, they were much more competitive than their 1-14 record indicates.

Coach Alia Post will return the majority of her team next fall, led by Maddison Belles and Gabby Shaw, but as a whole the team will need to pick up its play.

Prediction: Post and the Lady Redskins have a lot of work to do, but there is reason for hope. ... 2022 record: 4-12.

Tioga Lady Tigers: Tioga finished the season at 16-3, with all three losses in five-set classics against Section IV champ Candor, but they will graduate seven seniors.

The Lady Tigers have a lot returning, led by Reese Howey, Lily Mesler, Hailey Browne, Megan Shumway, and Kyra Bailey. They will also receive help from an IAC Small School championship JV team.

Prediction: Replacing seven seniors, who all saw lot of playing time, is no easy task, even for longtime coach Des Ford, but if there's anyone who can do it, it's Ford. ... 2022 record: 14-4.

Waverly Lady Wolverines: The Lady Wolverines only lose one starter from a 7-10 team, which means they could be a team to be reckoned with.

Waverly returns a host of talent, led by Lillie Kirk, Brilynn Belles, Peyton Shaw, and Michael Lauper, and should get some re-enforcement from the JV ranks.

Prediction: After a couple of sub-.500 campaigns, including a 7-10 mark this season, Waverly is primed for a big improvement in 2022. ... 2022 Record: 13-5.