The Hinton Blackhawks graduated nine seniors from their 20-16 season last fall, but coach Kate Ortegren is optimistic about her 2008 squad's talent.

"We have a lot of talent in our starting squad," she said. "They know the game and are very aware on where to put the ball on offense."

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The lone returning starter this season is Britni Freed. The senior outside hitter was a force in all areas last season, with 132 kills and 46 blocks at the net and a team-high 398 digs on defense. The second team all-conference player also added depth behind the server's line with 49 aces in her 92.6 percent serving effort. Freed also led the Blackhawks in serve receiving, grabbing 350 of 392.

Another key returning face, although not a starter, will be Hinton's setter, senior Kylee Landenberger. The starting setter this season totaled 77 assists in 2007, behind graduated seniors Kaitlin Rodgers (253) and Steph Smith (224). Landenberger proved to be versatile last season, adding a passing percentage of 299-306, 52 digs and 14 kills as a junior.

A third returner is senior Erin Hedlund, who got some playing time off the bench in 2007.

"Other than that, we have a pretty new and young team," Ortegren said. "We graduated nine seniors, so we have some spots to fill."

Some of those spots will be filled by sophomores, according to Ortegren. "We have a lot of sophomores joining our varsity team this year, who I think will really come around towards the middle of the season."

Starting as a middle blocker will be sophomore Ashton Moody. Sophomore Mallory Thoreson will start as an outside hitter and sophomore Riley Burke will fill in as a libero for the Blackhawks.

Ortegren is also excited about the height Hinton will feature at the net. Freed is the tallest of the girls at 5-11, but a handful more, including Thoreson, Moody, Hedlund and Brianna Babcock, are right behind at 5-10. Sophomore Erica Van Holland will fill in as a middle blocker, adding her height of 5-9 to the table.

Other hitters for the Blackhawks will include senior Ryann Mycka, junior Shelbi Derochie (who will also fill in as a backup setter) and sophomore Jaci Dehner.

On defense, the Blackhawks will feature seniors Kylie Poss, Ashley Jans and Raleah Held as defensive specialists. Sophomore Shawnee Miller will be a backup setter for the squad.

"We really want to be a better team defensively," Ortegren said, discussing the team's goals. "The girls get very good touches on the ball, but we continue to work on getting to the right spot on defense. I think as long as the girls are talking and playing together, they will be unstoppable."

But Ortegren added that communication could also be the Blackhawks' biggest downfall this season. "The thing that will hold us back at times is our team chemistry," she said. "It is difficult getting used to playing with a whole different group, but as long as they can pull together on the court and help each other out, we will do very well this year."

Looking to the conference, Ortegren cites Unity Christian as the team to beat in the War Eagle. "Sergeant Bluff is kind of in the same boat as us with losing a lot of girls," she added. "But they will still be good."

"West Sioux will probably sneak up and surprise everyone this year," she continued. "They really looked good last year, I thought, and I think they have that same group again this year. I think we have the ability to be at the top of the conference this year, as long as we stay together every match."

Last season, the Blackhawks finished third in the conference with a 6-2 record. Hinton was 20-16 overall.

The Blackhawks won their season debut in a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over West Sioux Tuesday evening in Hawarden. Hinton continues with their 2008 campaign Saturday at the Sioux City West Early Bird tournament.