Justin Griffin had a plan last season, one he hopes to repeat again this year.

Griffin, South Warren’s volleyball coach, stacked his team’s early-season schedule with tough matches in addition to an already rigorous District 14 slate headlined by a pair of regular-season meetings with Greenwood.

At one point last year, the Spartans were 7-7 on the season. South Warren went on to drop both regular-season matches to the Lady Gators, and lost to them again in the District 14 Tournament championship. But in a fourth and final meeting in the Region 4 championship, South Warren came away with a 3-2 victory over Greenwood to keep its season alive and earn a state tournament berth. Griffin’s squad won two more matches there before falling to eventual state runner-up Mercy in the state semifinals.

Wins and losses weren’t the primary concern for Griffin then, and won’t be now – at least, not right away – as the Spartans prepare to open their season Tuesday with a home matchup against Portland (Tenn.).

“We peaked at the right time,” Griffin said. “We ended up having the most successful postseason run that we’ve ever had here.”

Griffin wouldn’t mind a repeat of that scenario this year, but the Spartans must replace seven seniors from last season’s squad. There’s still plenty of talent, though, as South Warren gears up for another season under Griffin.

“We look pretty solid,” Griffin said. “We return five players that have a lot of experience from last year. They’ll kind of have to be the leaders going into this.”

The Spartans should again pack plenty of hitting power with outside hitters Sophie Pemberton and Erin Nerland, with sophomore setter Sydney Clayton back to resume a starting role she won late last season.

Greenwood, meanwhile, must replace six seniors – and a head coach – from a squad that dominated District 14 for much of last season. Jason Reels stepped down as coach following last season, and Allen Whittinghill is back to lead the program after helping his wife – former head coach Holly Whittinghill – establish the program on a full-time basis in 2002.

Whittinghill has spent the past few years coaching his own children in softball and basketball, but still found time to coach volleyball at the youth level.

When Whittinghill stepped away from Greenwood’s program after Holly Whittinghill resigned as head coach after the 2012 season, the rivalry with South Warren was just starting to take shape. The Lady Gators had largely dominated the district during Whittinghill’s tenure, capped by a state runner-up finish in 2011. Now, district play offers a ready-made challenge in facing the Spartans.

“To me, it’s exciting,” Whittinghill said. “Some people might look at it different, but I like good matches. That’s what it’s all about.”

Whittinghill brings his own coaching style to the Lady Gators, but he sees plenty of talent on the floor including senior outside hitter Emmie Bender, junior middle Annee Lasley, senior setter Julia Kennedy and junior libero Anna Hewitt. The Lady Gators open their season Thursday at Warren East.

Chasing down South Warren and Greenwood has proven difficult for the rest of District 14, but early returns for Bowling Green, Warren Central and Warren East have been promising as those three programs are a combined 4-0 after the first week of action.

Bowling Green opened with a 3-1 road win over Owensboro Catholic on Thursday, and Lady Purples coach Amy Wininger is excited about her squad despite losing nine seniors from last season.

“We’re focused on discipline on defense and playing clean,” Wininger said. “We think there are no excuses, even though we’re young. We need to rise.”

Bowling Green will rely on senior Riley Marshall to provide experience on the floor, and senior outside hitter Lexi Holloway also saw time last year. Freshman Charli Hodges has impressed Wininger.

Sophomore Makenna Twyman moves up from junior varsity to take over as the Lady Purples’ setter, and fellow sophomore Kenley Woodyard offers some punch from the right side.

Warren Central also features a new coach – sort of – this season as Timothy Arnold takes over for Lisa Ross. Arnold isn’t exactly new to the program, having also served as head coach of the Lady Dragons in 2012.

Arnold, who was named head coach on July 10, has had to play catch-up in learning his roster and implementing a new system. So far, so good as Warren Central opened the season with a 2-0 home win over Russellville on Thursday.

“Our service game was pretty good,” Arnold said. “We still have a lot of things to shore up. I kind of got the job late and there are still a lot of things to evaluate.”

Senior T’ona Shaver is the most experienced returnee, while juniors Ashley Atkins, Deja Barbee and Sarah Cross are solid options as outside hitters.

Greenwood transfers Abcd Narruhn and Jannine Narruhn should also make an impact this year.

Warren East won twice last week at home, beating Edmonson County and Franklin-Simpson 2-0 to open the season.

Lady Raiders coach Gary Bloyd must replace five seniors off last season’s squad, but has a solid foundation with junior libero Morgan Dobelstein, junior setter Kendall Bloyd and senior hitters Nealy Hudnall and Grace Ray.

Warren East hosts Warren Central on Monday at 6:30 p.m.