Expectations are high for several area girls volleyball teams as they look to win CIF gold this fall. At La Jolla Country Day (LJCD) School, head coach Peter Ogle and the Lady Torreys have a number of returnees and five newcomers to lead the way. According to Ogle, pre-season practices have been “spirited and competitive.” Ogle sees the keys to success being to serve and pass, compete like crazy, keep it fast and take care of each other. LJCD returnees include Chloe Mathis and Jessie Altman (setters), Lauren Birks and Mollie Rogers (outside hitters), Maggie Whitney (opposite hitter), Gillian Howard and Maya Hood (middle blockers) and Cheyenne Giesecke and Tori Kim (Libero).  Newcomers include freshman setter Kelsey Plum, sophomore opposite hitters Malina Hood and Kendal Peterkin and freshman outside hitter Sheridan Rice. At La Jolla High, head coach Dave Jones and the Lady Vikings have six returning varsity players for this season. La Jolla went 23-13 (8-3 Western League) a season ago and was the CIF runner-up in its division behind champion Cathedral Catholic. This year’s squad will look to middle blocker Haley Cameron, senior outside hitters Grace Drozdo and Madeline Lee and setter Ryan Farley to lead the way. “We should compete with Cathedral again this year for both the Western League and CIF titles,” Jones noted. La Jolla opens its season Sept. 12 in Idaho at the Lakeland Invitational Tournament, where it will be defending its tournament championship title. At The Bishop’s School, the Lady Knights under head coach Tod Mattox finished 24-10 a season ago, capturing the Coastal South and CIF Division IV championships along the way. Bishop’s finished third overall in the state. “This year’s Bishop’s Lady Knights edition has the potential to be our best ever,” Mattox said.  Bishop’s will be led by senior setter Ina Kamenova, senior middle Thea Derrough, and lefts Kristen Casey (last season’s kill leader) and much-improved Maddie Lord. “We have some talent and depth at our other middle and opposite spots,” Mattox noted.  According to Mattox, last year’s middle blocker, senior Savannah Smith, may stay at that spot or possibly move to the right. Soph Sydney Seau is in the running for one of those spots as well.  Mattox noted that the biggest battle is taking place in the Libero and defensive positions. According to Mattox, senior captain Hannah Saber is holding off a bunch of talented underclassmen. “How we develop on defense will determine if we’re merely good or truly great,” Mattox remarked. Mattox said that while it’s exciting the squad is better than ever, many other teams are as well. La Jolla Country Day will be one of the top teams in the county, according to Mattox. Bishop’s opens in the Rally Classic next Monday against Scripps Ranch.