The Cherokee County Lady Warrior volleyball team knows all too well about heartbreak.

Just one match away from advancing to the Class 4A regionals, Cherokee County had to beat longtime rival Alexandria to continue its season.

In the Class 4A, Area 12 tournament, the Warriors dug themselves an early hole by losing the first two games (14-25, 23-25) to the Lady Cubs, but battled back and won the next two (25-19, 25-16), which forced a deciding fifth game.

However, Alexandria outlasted the Warriors 15-12 in that game to end their season at 26-17.

It’s been almost 10 months since that season-ending battle, but Warrior head coach Amy Barnes is confident her team can bounce back to that position once again in 2009.

“I have high hopes for us,” Barnes said. “We only lost one player from last season (Rachel Lamb). I think we’ll be a lot better.

“I’d love to make it out of area and out of the region and go to the state tournament. That’s my personal goal, and I think it’s a goal of theirs too.”

One reason for Barnes’ high hopes is the senior leadership the Warriors have this season. Of the nine players on Cherokee County’s varsity roster, five are seniors.

Middle hitter Malorie Rosser returns after leading the Warriors in aces last season. Mary Beth Brannon and Samantha Parker give the Warriors a solid presence at the outside hitter positions, along with Haley Highfield, who also doubles as a setter. Laura Rochester returns at libero.

“We finally have some seniors,” Barnes said. “We haven’t had a big group of seniors since I’ve been here, and a lot of the girls have been playing on varsity since they were freshmen. Some of them have been playing since they were in the eighth grade, so I hope the experience is getting there.”

One of those experienced players is junior outside hitter Kaitlyn Griffith, who led Cherokee County in kills and digs last season. Junior middle hitter Lauren Millsaps also returns after leading the Warriors in blocks last year. Sophomore outside hitter Candace Blanchard gives the team depth at that position, and junior Cayla Machleit returns at setter after leading the team in assists.

Speaking of Machleit, she attended a setter camp over the summer to help improve her skills. The team also had a camp with former Mississippi State volleyball coach Tina Seals.

Seals was Barnes’ coach at Northwest-Shoals Community College in Muscle Shoals.

Even the Warrior junior varsity team sought to improve its skills with a camp conducted by former Warrior and current Shorter College coach Jon Moseley.

“All the girls have been to at least one camp, so we’ve done what we can with the time we’ve had,” Barnes said. “I’m just glad they want to play volleyball.”

Barnes is hoping her team’s work in the off-season will translate into more wins, but its going to be tough in Class 4A, Area 12. The Warriors have to contend with two-time defending 4A state champion Jacksonville in addition to Alexandria and Hokes Bluff.

“We’ve got some of the top teams in the state just in our area,” Barnes said. “It makes the challenge harder, but I think we’ve got a lot deep down to fuel our fire for the area tournament.

“We’ll probably see Guntersville at the regional tournament if we make it there, and they’re another top team in the state. It’s like we’re all right here together. It’s tough to make it to the state tournament. I hope if we do, we’ll have some success. I’m just ready to get started.”