COOS BAY — The end of the 2006 volleyball season left a bitter taste in the mouths of Marshfield’s players.

The Pirates finished second to Thurston in the Midwestern League. But because of the new playoff format put in place by the Oregon School Activities Association before the season, Marshfield had to travel to face defending state champion Ashland in a battle of two top-10 teams for one spot in the Class 5A state tournament.

Not only did the Pirates lose to Ashland, but they also lost senior three-sport star Heather Porter to a knee injury that ended her prep sports career.

While Porter has moved on, ironically, to college volleyball at Southern Oregon University in Ashland, the Pirates are vowing to not put themselves in the same position this year.

“Last year, it was kind of unfortunate the way it was set up that we had to play Ashland,” said Ali Worthen, a returning all-league player and co-captain for the squad. “It makes us motivated to do better.”

“This year, one of our main goals is to win league,” said senior co-captain Nicole Zyta.

That would give the Pirates a home playoff match, instead of having to travel for the playoffs.

In contrast, a second-place finish would send the Pirates to Portland for a playoff match against the Portland Interscholastic League champion. While that league traditionally is weaker for volleyball, it’s still a long road trip the Pirates want to avoid.

Marshfield coach Tammie Montiel again expects the Pirates to battle Thurston for the league title. While the other programs — Springfield, North Eugene, Willamette and Churchill — have improved, they still don’t have the firepower or experience of the Colts and Pirates.

Montiel likes what she’s seen of her club in the first week of the season, heading into tonight’s home Civil War match against North Bend.

“I think we’ve got a lot of weapons,” she said. “Once we get everybody healthy, we’ll be in better shape.”

Two key injuries have hampered the Pirates in the preseason.

Jenna Welsh, one of four returning starters, suffered an ankle injury and it’s unclear how long she will be sidelined. Zyta, meanwhile, is recovering from an accident late last month that left her lower legs bruised, but no bones broken.

“I was really lucky,” she said.

Marshfield’s top overall threat is Worthen, who moved from middle blocker to outside hitter.

“She did a great job in the middle,” Montiel said. “We thought we could utilize her better on the outside.”

With Marshfield’s top outside hitters from a year ago gone to graduation, Worthen will step into that role.

“It’s better for her to be on the outside because she gets the ball more,” Zyta said.

“It’s been a lot of fun,” Worthen said of the change.

Montiel will be relying on Worthen for more offense, and also expects her to play a key role in the defense, along with returning libero Taylor Scott and fellow defensive specialist Brittney Young.

“Those three are digging up a ton of balls,” Montiel said.

“Taylor and Brittney have done a great job in the back row,” said Worthen, adding that having two outstanding passers helps the offense.

“We get more options when we get good passes,” she said.

The setters receiving those passes and distributing them to the hitters will be senior Leslie Silver, a part-time setter last year, and Nikki Gross, the only sophomore on the varsity squad.

“They’re doing awesome,” Worthen said. “Leslie has a lot of experience and Nikki has awesome potential.”

The middle blockers will be Natalie Caffey and Melanie Stout, a pair of juniors, though Stout has moved to the outside until Welsh returns to the lineup. Hockema, regularly a right-side hitter, moves to the middle, while Zyta and Jessica Ott are on the right side.

“I think we have a lot more depth,” Worthen said of this year’s squad. “We’ve got good passers, good hitters and people who can come off the bench and play just as well as the starters.”

It’s a group Montiel said is loaded with potential.

“We’ve made great strides from the first week of camp,” she said. “The JV girls have been getting used to the speed of the varsity game. All of our returnees from last year saw a lot of court time.”

The team’s chemistry also has been outstanding, Zyta said.

“We’re all pretty close,” she said. “We have a lot of fun together. We just play well together. It’s a fun group.”

 After tonight’s game against North Bend, Marshfield competes in the South Eugene tournament this weekend and hosts Roseburg on Tuesday. The Pirates open league play at home against Thurston on Sept. 25.