Kylie Miller unleashes a shot in match last year against Los Osos.

Last year Chino Hills came into the Baseline and swiped away the league title the Cougars had won the previous year.

Well it’s a new season and Rancho Cucamonga looks like it is poised to that that crown back, with Chino Hills and St. Lucy’s looking like the most formidable foes.

Coach Aaron Flores is back at the helm after a year away in which he served a an assistant at Division I UC Irvine.

Senior Kylie Miller, who committed to UCLA as a sophomore, will lead the way. The most versatile player in the Inland Valley tallied 288 kills, 225 digs, 71 service aces and 27 total blocks. She divided time between and setting but this year will be used as an outside hitter with junior Mary Bagshaw, who transferred from Bonita last year assuming setting duties full time.

“This is going to be a great year for her,” Flores said. “Playing just hitter will also allow her to focus more on defense and passing which is a little tougher when you’re setting.”

The other reason for such optimism is the cast of players around Miller. Last year Karson Bacon burst on the scene as a freshman and notched 147 kills and a team-high 43 blocks. She has grown a bit and now stands 6-4 and Flores says she is drawing the same interest Miller did two years ago.

Other key returning players are junior outside hitters Sydney Culpepper and Bria Beale who combined for 395 kills last year. Last year Beale injured an ankle right before the playoffs which was a major blow to the team’s postseason hopes and the Cougars suffered a second round loss to Hart.

“This is the best team the school has ever had,” Flores says boldly. “We have a lot of potential and I am very excited.”

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