Last fall, Reedsport and Coquille had a spirited battle for second place in the Sunset Six. This fall, that battle might just be for a league title in the expanded Sunset Conference.

Fittingly, the teams open league play against each other at Coquille on Thursday.

After five years of ruling the roost in the Big Fir League and Sunset Six, Myrtle Point enters the 2007 season with a new coach and only a few returning players. Former junior varsity coach Kami Hixson takes over for retired Melanie Little, trying to get the Bobcats back to the postseason after a fifth-place finish at last year’s state tournament.

“I feel that the upcoming season is going to be an adjustment for our team, due to the loss of our graduating seniors and of our head coach, Mel Little,” Hixson said. “We are in the process of bonding and becoming teammates.”

Hixson is among those who feel Reedsport and Coquille are the teams to beat.

Reedsport returns setter Kelsey Moore, libero Shelby Wiggans and middle blockers Kelly McLain and Jordan James from last year’s playoff team. They are joined by Hannah Smith, a senior transfer from Marshfield who will play both setter and outside hitter in coach James Hixenbaugh’s 6-2 scheme, which calls for two setters.

“The team is looking pretty good so far,” Hixenbaugh said. “We need to work on communication. We have really good attitudes and think we are going to have a good season.”

The Red Devils return the most impact players, including the talented outside hitting duo of senior Kalei Libby and sophomore Mary Jo Pflaum. They are joined by Pflaum’s older sister, Katy, back from a year abroad, as well as veteran libero Laurie Breuer and veteran setter Lindsey Cooper. Stephanie Jones also grew as an outside hitter last year, while Mari Meador is another experienced presence on the roster.

“We have a lot of returning players from last year, so we’re hoping for another good season,” coach Troy Cooper said. “However, with Cascade Christian coming into the league, it’s difficult to say exactly where we will end up.”

Hixenbaugh agreed, calling Cascade Christian the “X Factor.”

The Challengers were moved up to Class 3A by the Oregon School Activities Association after a season in which they went a perfect 10-0 in the South Cascades League and reached the Class 2A state tournament, losing a pair of five-set matches. Against eventual champion Portland Christian, the Challengers lost the fifth game 16-14.

Cascade Christian, located in Medford, has a new coach in Trea Connick, as well as a few returning starters.

“We’re excited about the changes and excited to meet the new teams in our league,” Connick said. “We lost four starters from last year and have a young team this year.”

Setter Erika Thorpe is the team’s only senior.

Two other South Coast teams hoping to vie for playoff spots are Bandon and Gold Beach.

The Tigers have only two returning starters — senior Maya Magallanes and junior Briana Valentine.

Second-year coach Shani Pierce is excited, though, by increased height on the team and new setter Jordan Tipton.

“We have a new quarterback, and so far, she has been very effective at the net and in ball distribution,” Pierce said. “Bandon will be young this year, but has the potential to be very competitive.”

Gold Beach has good returning talent in seniors Miranda Hunnicutt, Kelsey Hamilton, Emmie Yeiter and Rendall MacLaurie and junior middle blocker Molly Hockema.

Hamilton was nominated for the all-tournament team at the Oakridge Tournament after the Panthers took the consolation crown, while Hockema should be a force in the middle.

After finishing fourth a year ago, the Panthers hope to challenge for a spot in the top three.

Glide, meanwhile, looks to improve on last year’s finish at the bottom of the league standings.