The Lady Cougars of Patrick County like the view at the top so much, that they're hoping that with 10 returning players back, they can stay in the Piedmont District volleyball penthouse again this fal, in addition to making a deeper run into the playoffs.

The Cougars, who won the Piedmont District title for the first time since 1996 and the district tournament, made a run into the Region IV playoffs before bowing out to Hidden Valley, finished with a 17-5 overall mark.

Returning for coach Heidi Moore, who is starting her seventh season, is Hannah Helbert (senior, OH, 291 kills, 189 digs), who was the Piedmont District Player of the Year, along with a first team all-region and second team all-state selection. Kendra Hall (senior,RSH/S, 102 kills, 23 blocks), Hannah Hobbs (senior, RSH, six kills, three blocks), Logan Martin (junior, L, 40 aces, 269 digs, second team all-district), T'Keyah Hines (junior, MB, 175 kills, 74 blocks, secomd team all-district), Karleigh Wilkinson (junior, MB, 88 kills, 46 blocks), Julia Hutchens (junior, OH, 50 digs), Hannah Largen (junior, DS, 23 digs), Samantha Smith (junior, OH, 88 kills, 20 blocks) and Beth Williams (sophomore, S, 284 assists, 31 aces).

New to the varsity program are sophomores Anna Shough (RSH), Kayley King (OH), Ebony Reynolds (MB) and Allison Gammons (DS).

"We have ten returning players from our 2011 season, where we won the Piedmont District for the first time since 1996. We also won the Piedmont District Tournament," said Moore. "Experience will be our strength. Our girls work extremely hard every day at practice and they are an amazing group of girls and I’m excited to see what the season holds for us."

As for the Cougars top matches, "Any district match, they are all important," noted Moore. "We also play North Stokes from NC who won a state title last year and we play Westover Christian from Danville, who also won a state title last year as well."

What can Patrick County fans expect this season? We hope to defend the district title and improve upon our record from last season," said Moore.

The Cougars open their 2012 campaign on Wednesday, Aug. 22 at Carroll County.