Daily News file Greenwood’s Emilee Buttrum, (from left) Faith Edwards, Amanda Howard, Tasha Manteris, Abby Godfrey and Tacie Phillips celebrate the Fourth Region championship win over Logan County last year in Russellville.

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The Greenwood volleyball team has flexed its muscles with three championships in four seasons, so it's no surprise that the Lady Gators once again are the team to beat in the Fourth Region when play gets under way across the area beginning Monday.

Greenwood loses three seniors from last year's squad, but returns several key contributors who are looking to add another region title for the Lady Gators.

Seniors Tracie Phillips, Amanda Howard and Lauren Gipson all return, as well as sophomore libero Faith Edwards, who earned MVP honors in last year's region championship.

“We have high expectations for our team this year,” Greenwood coach Holly Whittinghill said. “We lost three seniors, but we have three seniors returning to the team that are showing great leadership in preseason. I really feel like we have one of our strongest teams that we've ever coached.”

Setter Phillips is the backbone, according to Whittinghill.

“We really feel like she is a strength on the court,” Whittinghill said. “She makes our whole team better. She makes our hitters look better, which is exactly what you want on the floor.”

The road to another region championship should be filled with plenty of familiar foes. Despite losing a wealth of talent, Logan County is still seen as a serious contender in the region.

“Logan County graduated a lot of seniors, but like always they have a lot of girls that will step up,” Warren East coach Jen Legge said.

The Lady Raiders are another contender, after a successful campaign that ended with a spot in the Fourth Region tournament in Legge's first year last season.

Legge said the expectations are even higher this year.

“Now that we know that we are capable of competing at that level, there is more expectation on us, but we have confidence,” she said. “Every day is just a constant reminder that we expect big things from our girls.”

Warren East lost Sandy Grimes to graduation, but returns plenty of talent - including seniors Julie Crabtree, Linzy Alford, Mattie Parsley and Casey Harris.

“They are stepping up and being leaders, which is exactly what I expect from them,” Legge said. “Obviously, we miss Sandy a great deal, but we have girls that are coming back and stepping up.”

Warren East edged Warren Central in the district tournament to earn a bid to the region last year. The Lady Dragons look to return the favor - returning a team that lost one player (Tai Gibson) from last season. WCHS coach Craig Anderson brings back five seniors, including Casey Price and Ashley Haley.

“We're still in the age of growth and development, but the girls do work hard,” Anderson said. “I like their attitude and approach.”

Bowling Green will look to bounce back from a rough 2005 season under first-year coach Angie Neeper. The Lady Purples feature four seniors - including Amy Dillard and Rebecca Scott - and Neeper said she is very excited about the upcoming season.

“I think the girls are ready to get out there and do their best,” she said. “They want to make it to region and go as far as they can. We have a lot of talent and athleticism on this team. I'm enjoying getting to know the girls.”

Neeper may be new to BGHS, but she isn't new to volleyball, having coached at Edmonson County in 2003-04. Neeper said Greenwood sets the bar and she hopes her team can answer that challenge.

“We want to beat them all, but Greenwood is one team that we want to beat,” Neeper said. “They are tough competition, but I think we have the ability.”