MADRID — Madrid-Waddington senior Abbey Shoen doesn't want high school to end. She especially doesn't want her three-sport career to come to a close even though she'll likely play one or two in college.

"It really is hitting me fast," she said. "It stinks. That's basically what high school is for me is sports."

Her senior year starts with volleyball. There she expects the Yellow Jackets to greatly improve on its 4-17 mark last season.

"I think we can do a lot this year," she said of the team. "We have a lot of talent and I think we have a lot better chance in the playoffs."

Coach Laurinda Stockwell will look to Shoen to help guide the rookie players and keep the team playing together.

"Abbey is a well-rounded athlete that has been a team leader for volleyball for six years," she said. "Any of the younger kids on the court that don't have the experience that the seniors have, she will try and help them out. She's a court leader. She helps to try and keep the team up."

Last summer, Shoen showed her dedication to the program by working with freshman Kristin King, who had never played competitive volleyball, to prepare for the upcoming season.

Shoen's coaching turned King into a starter last year and a key part in the Madrid-Waddington offense.

"She was great," King said of learning from Shoen. "She's very patient and she knows what she's doing."

Shoen may have started a trend that could pay great dividends.

"The nice thing about that was that Abbey started something," Stockwell said. "Kristin, this summer, worked with her sister Sarah and helped her try out and make the team. Abbey actually began this cycle."

Stockwell added that Shoen's competitiveness and drive help a team with six seniors bond even more.

"I have a well-experienced team this year because I have a large group of seniors," Stockwell said. "I have four girls that this is their sixth year. Abbey is a very positive leader for the group. She does a wonderful job."

Shoen needs to be at her best for the difficult regular season ahead. Section 10 has reverted to the old two-division format since St. Regis Falls discontinued its volleyball program.

Madrid-Waddington, a Class C school, is now in the East Division with Canton, Gouverneur, Potsdam, Malone and Chateaugay. Most of the schools are in a higher class and Chateaugay (Class D) went to the state semifinals last year.

"We are in a very strong division," Stockwell said. "We have to play each of those teams twice. The level of play in Section 10 has really improved."

Shoen is looking forward to the challenge.

"The season will be tough," she said. "But it will just make us better."

Stockwell loves the positive attitude Shoen brings to the sport and team and is grateful that's one thing she doesn't have to worry about this season.

"Abbey is the type of athlete that all coaches dream of having on their team because she is dedicated and focused," she said. "She works hard for the achievements she receives."

NAC VOLLEYBALL

Outlook:The NAC split back into its East and West division, but the format isn't the same as in 2006. The East is almost entirely revamped with the addition of Gouverneur, Madrid-Waddington and Canton. Chateaugay is coming off a state-tournament semifinal run from last year, but lost the majority of its starters and return just four seniors. Canton brings some experience with Heather Lottie returning from an impressive junior season. Gouverneur struggled last year, but brings age and experience to the court with six seniors. The division is relatively wide-open, but Malone is a notorious powerhouse and could dominate the East. The West sports good talent and a potential fight for first place. Four teams won more than 10 games last year and each look strong again. Massena, which won eight games in 2007, returns nearly its full lineup and will likely be a tough opponent and front-runner in the West. Salmon River also returns skill and experience. Look for either Massena or Salmon River to vie for the West title late in the season.

EAST DIVISION

Canton Golden Bears

Coach:Candy Bates (6th year).

2007 record:6-14.

Players to watch:Heather Lottie (33 aces, 86 kills, 23 blocks), Lindsey Knowlden, Rachel Towne (89 sp).

Roster:Heather Lottie (Sr., OH); Rachel Town (Sr., S); Lindsey Knowlden (Sr., MH); Amanda Miller (Sr., MH); Rachel Mayton (Jr., S); Samantha Corbett (Jr., OH); Brianna Taillon (Jr., OH); Hilary Perry (Jr., MH).

Chateaugay Bulldogs

Coach:Chris Reynolds (11th year).

2007 record:23-1.

Players to watch:Maggie Trombly.

Roster:Stephanie Kemp (Sr.); Hanna Kinney (Sr.); Kateri Stemmer (Sr.); Danielle Swanston (Sr.); Emma Allen (Jr.); Stephanie Boyea (Jr.); Leah Cook (Jr.); Rachel Guerin (Jr.); Cindy Harrigan (Jr.); Erika LaBombard (Jr.); Katelyn Lapan (Jr.); Annie Smith (Jr.); Michelle Swanston (Jr.); Maggie Trombly (Jr.).

Gouverneur Wildcats

Coach:Chris Dashnaw (4th year).

2007 record:1-19.

Players to watch:Brooke Fuller, Nichole Fuller, Millicent Phelps.

Roster:Sarah Blair (Sr., B); Jessica Bonham (Sr., B); Nicolina Carrese (Jr., D); Sarah Cronk (Jr., H); Lisa Foote (Jr., H); Brooke Fuller (Sr., S/B/H); Nichole Fuller (Sr., H/D); Ashley Jenkins (Jr., S); Samantha McAdam (Jr., H); Tecia McIntyer (Jr., D); Rachael Patton (Sr., S); Katelyne Potter (Jr., S/H); Kortney Travis (Sr., H); Millicent Phelps (Jr., D/H).

Madrid-Waddington

Yellow Jackets

Coach:Laurinda Stockwell (3rd year, 9-31).

2007 record:4-17.

Players to watch:Abbey Shoen, Kristin King, Amber Murray, April Streeter, Katie Lanning.

Roster:Amber Murray (Sr., H/B); Natasha Flanagan (Jr., D); Abbey Shoen (Sr., H/B/S); Sara King (Sr., D); Kristin King (So., H/B/S); Stephanie Lacto (Sr., H/B); Danielle Gaydos (Jr., H/B/D); April Streeter (Sr., H/B); Marissa Sabourin (Jr., H/B/D); Katie Lanning (Sr., S).

Malone Huskies

Coach:Michele Thomas.

2007 record:20-3.

Roster:Not provided.

Potsdam Sandstoners

Coach:Sarah Fiacco (27th year, 158-188).

2007 record:4-14.

Players to watch:Melani Merrill, Crystal Wilson, Alyssa Clarke, Nichole Senter, Katie Phelan.

Roster:Alyssa Clarke (Sr., H); Laruen Costa (Jr., S/H); Kristy Huczel (So., H); Melani Merrill (Sr., S); Ashley Mitchell (Jr., S); Amanda Oney (Jr., H); Katharine Phelan (Jr., H); Tiffany Remington (Sr., H); Nichole Senter (Sr., H); Crystal Wilson (Sr., H).

WEST DIVISION

Brushton-Moira Panthers

Coach:Michele Russell (6th year).

2007 record:11-6.

Players to watch:Brandy Dufrane, Candy Dufrane.

Roster:Bentley Keck (Sr., OH); Candy Dufrane (Sr., OH); Meagan LaValley (So., D); Melissa Russell (Sr., D); Amber Brown (Sr., S); Brandy Dufrane (Sr., OH/S); Brittney Pattenaude (Jr., D); Mercedes Jock (So., D); Valarie Powell (Sr., S).

Edwards-Knox Cougars

Coach:Amanda Tresidder (2nd year).

2007 record:2-16.

Players to watch:Megan White.

Roster:Cassie Walrath, Ashlee Mitchell, Alicia Dancause, Sarah Manning, Olivia Loop, Nicole Bice, Kendra Matthews, Alesha Gotham, Kirstie Matthews, Patricia Hathaway, Elizabeth Hathaway, Megan White, Leah White, Ashley Tupper, Samantha LaPoint, Lucinda Tyler.

Massena Red Raiders

Coach:Nicole Charleson (6th year, 95-17).

2007 record:8-10.

Players to watch:Genna Ransom, Alyssa Lazore, Jowelle Smoke-Ramirez.

Roster:Amanda Brown (Jr., H); Ashley Brown (SR., MH); Ronee Cree (So., S/H); Louise David (Jr., OH); Ruth Kazylak (Sr., MH/OH); Alyssa Lazore (Jr., OH); Krystan Mitchell (Jr., H); Genna Ransom (Sr., S/OH); Megan Shirley (Sr., H); Jowelle Smoke-Ramirez (Sr., S/H); Shenae Tarbell (Jr., H); Jessica Tarbell (Jr., RH).

OFA Blue Devils

Coach:Sue McLean (5th year).

2007 record:13-8.

Players to watch:Amy Ogden, Aubrey Badlam.

Roster:Amy Ogden (Sr., H); Aubrey Badlam (Jr.); Jhenna King (Jr.); Alison Edwards (H/S); Elissa St. Germain (MH); Chelsea Hackett (MH); Megan Tallman (H); Becca Lutz (H); Brooke Massia (H); Kayla Anderson (H).

Salmon River Shamrocks

Coach:Nicole Curran (1st year).

2007 record:13-6.

Players to watch:Rachel Benedict, Alicia Francis, Brittany Wahshontiio Jacobs, Elyse Lauzon.

Roster:Rachel Benedict, Laruen Cook, Alicia Francis, Joni Garrow, Kaitlyn Graffis, Brittany Wahshontiio Jacobs, Sara Jacobs, Elyse Lauzon, Lakota Lazore, Isabel Papineau, Kaitlyn Patenaude, Aubrey Phillips, Jamie Ransom, Geri Sunday, Krissy Tremblay, Taylor White, Kayla Reyome.

Tupper Lake

Lumberjacks

Coach:Matt Southwick (12th year).

2007 record:15-7.

Roster:Not provided.