Hudson Glover (13) will play a key role for San Clemente in 2010. Paul Bersebach, The Register

The unknown. That's what 2009 produced.

Mater Dei in the Division I final. The county's top 2 teams out by the quarterfinals. Santa Margarita winning the Trinity League title.

No one saw these coming when the season began this year.

So what's in store for 2010? We're here to take a peak at it.

Possible top 10 for 2010

1. Esperanza - Aztecs biggest losses are senior middle blocker and senior libero. Team's depth should be deep enough to overcome losses. Aztecs reached quarterfinals of CIF-SS Division I playoffs, and return arguably the county's best setter.

2. Santa Margarita - Eagles lose their top gunner from this season in Tanner Jansen. Yet the Eagles were one of the youngest teams in the county this year and won the Trinity League title.

3. Newport Harbor - Sailors watch some senior talent leave, but return one of the county's top hitters in Cody Caldwell. Sailors defensive abilities usually have them atop the county no matter what the lineup looks like.

4. Orange Lutheran - Lancers graduate their all-world player in Maurice Torres. However, Lutheran has enough junior talent returning to be among the best teams in the county next season.

5. Laguna Beach - Breakers are loaded with underclassmen, including senior to be Travis Woloson and junior to be Robbie McKnight.

6. Edison - Chargers could be a surprise team in 2010. Like every other team, they lose contributing seniors but have talented juniors.

7. Mater Dei - No team loses the talent of the senior-laden Monarchs, who have 8 key seniors leaving. The cupboards aren't dry, however, and Monarchs will find way to play top 10 caliber volleyball with new lineup.

8. San Clemente - Tritons lose their big trio that was together since their sophomore season. Tritons are used to losing talent and finding more in the program. They will be among the top teams in the county next year still.

9. Mission Viejo - Diablos were the team most affected by injuries this season. They return senior to be Spencer Rowe, who may be the early candidate for player of the year honors. Watch out for this group who went unnoticed in 2009.

10. Huntington Beach - Oilers are losing their setter and libero, both of who played in the county all star game. Oilers are on of the those teams who lose talent and still remain competitive and a top 10 team the next year. The trend figures to continue.

Top 5 Storylines of 2010

5. Rolling out the new stars

This year was loaded with graduating senior talent, including Connor Hughes, Maurice Torres, Tanner Jansen and Dane Worley. Whose the next line of big hitters to emerge? It's one thing we'll be watching for come 2010. Mission Viejo's Spencer Rowe, Newport Harbor's Cody Caldwell, Corona del Mar's Weston Nielson and Laguna Beach's Travis Woloson are among the early replacements.

4. Will Santa Margarita play Orange County Championships next year?

At the time of the tournament this year, the Eagles were the only top 10 county team not to participate in the tournament. It worked out well in the end, as they won the Trinity League title. It'll be interesting to see what decision they make this year.

3. Will San Clemente finally be knocked from its throne?

Tritons have won 8 consecutive South Coast League title, including an undefeated run this year. However, it's core group is leaving. Does it open the door for teams like Dana Hills and Mission Viejo, and even Aliso Niguel, to derail the champs in 2010?

2. What will happen to Mater Dei?

The Monarchs reached their third CIF final in school history this year, and won the the Southern Regional Championships. However, they lose just about everyone from that squad. Can the Monarchs rebuild quickly enough to put it together again next season, or is it going to take longer than that?

1. All hail Esperanza

The Aztecs coaches and players may or may not like this distinction, but who will be better than them next year? Aztecs are loaded with junior talent, and had arguably the best season of any team save Mater Dei. Esperanza won the Division I title in 2007, and could be chasing another one this year.

More from the boys volleyball blog:

• All-league boys volleyball: Trinity league
• All-league boys volleyball: Sunset league
• All-league boys volleyball: Sea View league
• All-league boys volleyball: Empire league
• All-league boys volleyball: Academy league
• Boys volleyball: Top 5 moments of 2009
• Boys volleyball: Division I All-CIF team

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