Despite returning five players off last's year's 14-11 team, the Franklin County Eagles volleyball team will be young and inexperienced as they compete in the final season of the Western Valley District existence.

Under the proposed VHSL re-classifications schedule to start next fall, if approved, the WVD will be dissolved and the Eagles, even though they are a Group AAA school, will be joining the River Ridge District.

Returning for the Lady Eagles, who finished 6-2 in the district and advanced to the regional playoffs are Ayron Walker (senior, MB/RH), Linsey Schiemann (senior, OH/RH), Joanna Osborne (senior, S/RH), Ann Taylor Walker (junior, Libero and Hali Saul (junior, DS).

New to the varsity squad in 2012 will be sophomores Sierra Gardner (OH), Mikayla Cannaday (S), Makayla Holland (OH/MB), Caitlyn Churn (MB) and Mackenzie Chitwood (DS).

"One of our strengths is we are a solid team with many versatile players. Most of our players can play more than one position," said head coach Mindy Bowman, who is starting fourth season at Franklin County. "Our weakness is we are young and inexperienced at the varsity level."

The Eagles see their top games as those being with Patrick Henry, EC Glass, Jefferson Forest, Auburn and Hidden Valley.

"We should definitely be second in the district. Our goal for the year is to beat Patrick Henry and be first in the district. We also want to advance to at least the second round of regionals," added Bowman.

The Eagles opened their season last night (Tuesday) by hosting Auburn.