PREVIEW Hunkus returns to lead Girard

Behind ace Tealle Hunkus, the Indians are expected to contend for the TAC championship.
By MARK W. MILLER
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
The Girard High volleyball team (19-7) finished fourth behind Austintown Fitch, Hubbard and Boardman in last year's final area coaches poll.
The Indians, who also were regional semifinalists, should be a contender in the Trumbull Athletic Conference this season as coach Phil Walters (33-16) has a veteran squad.
Tealle Hunkus, who signed a letter of intent to Duke University, was named the 36th strongest volleyball player in the United States in a recent issue of Student Sports Magazine and is one of four senior veterans.
The 6-foot-1 middle hitter was a Division III all-state first-team selection and district player of the year. She set Girard's single-season record with 426 kills, an average of 7.8 per game, and was an All-TAC first-team choice.
Stephanie Scarnecchia, a two-year letter winner is a 5-7 outside hitter and a second-team all-conference and district honorable mention. Beth Hanna (5-8) and Janeen Delgenio (5-4) are outside hitters.
Sophomores Erin Stevens (5-6) set a single-season record with 536 assists, an average of 10.11 per game, and Kay Brittany (5-6 DS-OH) is also back.
Newcomers are juniors Nicole Melfi (5-4, DS); Kristen Ragozine (5-9, MH), and Aleesha Royer (5-10, DS), and sophomore Lee McLane (5-3, DS).
Brookfield
Coach Dan Deramo has directed Brookfield to winning seasons in 10 of the past 11 years, and his teams have qualified for the district tournament three straight times.
The Warriors (13-10, 10-6 TAC) return three lettermen. Senior Regina Deramo, a setter who has played Junior Olympic volleyball the past five years, had 167 digs and 141 assists a year ago, while Karey Gibson (S-DS) had 129 digs and 185 assists. Junior Jessica Zebroski (OH) led the team with 141 points, 35 aces and 272 digs.
Also, there's seniors Kim Najdusak (OH) and Becky Smith (MH), junior Katie Miller (MH), sophomores Katie Gething (OH), Rachel Pasquerilla (S) and Lynzie Smith (MH).
Lisbon
The Blue Devils (19-3) finished fifth in the coaches poll and coach Lisa Moore will build the defending Tri-County League champs around four lettermen.
Back are Megan Rose (DS-OH), Ashley Lohr (MB), Stephanie Smith (OH) and Courtney Zimmerman (OH).
Crestview
Jason Jones is a new coach in the TCL and he takes over a program that is recognized as one of the top in the state.
Returning seniors are Kelly Simmons (5-10, OH); Abbey Fristik (5-7, OH); Katie Bloor (5-6, S), and Cheryl McCall (5-5, DS-OH). Juniors returning are Mariel Montoney (5-8, RSH); Katie Kibby (6-3, MH); Lindsay Sapp (5-8, S); Stacy McCall (5-7, OH); Jamie Jones (5-3, DS), and Nikki Walton (5-6, DS).