HIGH SCHOOL PREVIEW : AT A GLANCE / Girls’ Volleyball

* The Proven: Newport Harbor has the county’s best player--April Ross--and a strong supporting cast. Among those returning with Ross are middle blockers Krista Dill, a 6-2 senior, and Heather Cullen, a 6-1 junior, and senior outside hitter Brenda Waterman. . . . Santa Margarita won its third consecutive section title last season, and four starters return. Among those are senior outside hitters Chrissy Bloomgren, Lauren Heri and Caroline Skacel, who has committed to San Francisco.

* The Promising: Mater Dei returns four starters, including South Coast co-MVP Lindsay Pavlik, and setter Jennifer Ward to highlight a core that should help the Monarchs challenge the best in Division I . . . Esperanza could be ready to make a run at its first section title with one of the county’s best setters, USC-bound Toni Anderson, and a potent offense, led by middle blocker Laura St. John. . . . Calvary Chapel returns five starters from a team that lost its only matches last season to three-time section champion Cerritos Valley Christian. Seniors Kelly Overby, a 6-1 outside hitter, and setter Jessie Wright are among the county’s elite.

* Preseason Top 10: 1. Newport Harbor--Defending state Division I and section Division I-AA champions; 2. Mater Dei--First-year Coach Craig Pazanti inherits a deep, talented squad; 3. Santa Margarita--Setter Anna Mosich leads the defending section Division II-AA champs; 4. Esperanza--Sunset’s best is solid at every position; 5. Irvine--Standout outside hitter Julianna Bailey is out with a knee injury until next month, but the Vaqueros still have plenty of firepower; 6. Capistrano Valley--Becky Warnick and Andrea Delsigne lead the South Coast favorites; 7. Huntington Beach--Five starters return to make a run at league favorite Esperanza; 8. Laguna Beach--Young team with potential; 9. Calvary Chapel--Division IV school will hold its own against the county’s powerhouses; 10--Corona del Mar--Knee injury to starting middle blocker Megan Gallagher could slow Sea Kings early.

* Key Dates: Sept. 17, 18, 20--Dave Mohs Memorial Tournament. Nov. 10, 12, 14, 17--Southern Section playoffs. Nov. 19, 20--Southern Section finals. Nov. 23, 27, 30--State regional playoffs. Dec. 4--State finals, Cypress College.

* League Favorites: Academy--St. Margaret’s; Century--Villa Park; Empire--El Dorado; Express--Liberty Christian; Freeway--La Habra; Garden Grove--Pacifica; Golden West--Tustin; Olympic--Calvary Chapel; Orange--Valencia; Pacific Coast--Laguna Beach; Sea View--Newport Harbor; Serra--Mater Dei; South Coast--Capistrano Valley; Sunset--Esperanza.

* Fast Fact: Valencia, with senior Monika Jackley, will try to win its 11th consecutive league title. Laguna Beach is seeking its 12th consecutive league title, but now must also contend with Pacific Coast League newcomer, Corona del Mar.