Much like the landscape in big-school football (6A/Division I), girls volleyball of the past half-decade has revolved around a precious few schools -- Xavier, Desert Vista, Hamilton, Gilbert and Horizon. Four of those five have won a championship between 2011-2015. Xavier has advanced at least to the semis each year and Hamilton and Horizon three times each in that span.

This quintet doesn't figure to relent this season. A question for 2016 -- Are there others equipped to crash this five-school party? The resounding consensus answer from the coaching staffs is yes. Primed for a break-through, they contend, is Perry High.

"They're big and have tough servers that will knock good teams out of system," Xavier Prep coach Lamar-Renee Bryant said of the Pumas.

"For sure Perry will be at the top with everyone," Hamilton coach Sharon Vanis said. 

Also gaining kudos in the conversation is Corona del Sol, almost unanimously with a caveat.

"Corona has a lot of talent if they stay healthy," Desert Vista coach Molly West said. Added Bryant:  "Corona will be very good if they can stay healthy with (Lauren) Forte in the middle."

Basha and Mountain Pointe were mentioned as possibilities as well. The regular season opens Monday Aug. 29 with a handful of matches and kicks into high gear as next week progresses.

Here's a brief look at the top contenders and the players to watch:

Xavier and Hamilton return the most firepower from last year with Gilbert and Desert Vista not far behind. Xavier returns more than any team, but graduated one of the state's most dominant players ever in Khalia Lanier (USC) and a pair of solid setters. The Gators are led by middle blocker Makenna Patterson, outside hitters Kristen Klein and Lanie Wagner and sophomore setter Shannon Shields, an all-around talent who set quite often due to injury last year as a freshman on varsity.

Hamilton won't be lacking in experience with MB Preslie Anderson, hitters Darian Clark and Kayla Banyai and setter Sydney Lostumo. Gilbert is strong on the attack with OH Kaitlyn Lines and middles Krystal Blair and Alexa Rockas. The Tigers are installing new starters as liberto and setter.

Desert Vista, the two-time defending big-school champs, graduated a fistful of key players, but still has a couple in hand. The Thunder is paced by senior libero Kendall Glover and senior OH Hailey Dirrigl. Senior DS Lexi Gorosky and senior OH Morgan Schreckler saw a decent amount of time last year as reserves.

Horizon had its toughest season in several years in 2015 with youth and injury. The Huskies are led by senior OH Erin Clark.

The potential of Perry is glaring as coach Fred Mann welcomes back six of his top eight players in terms of experience. Junior OPP-OH Ryann Davis and junior MB Kennedy Kaminsky are 6-2 and 6-3, respectively. There's also senior OH Amanda Aguirre, senior setter Gabby Emery, junior setter Katie Koski and junior libero Halle Razo. Aguirre missed most of the second half of  last season due to injury. Junior OH Alexis Keith transferred to Perry from Campo Verde where she played extensively in 2015.

Corona del Sol was without 6-4 MB Forte for about three-fourths of 2015. She's a force when on the floor,especialy combined with all-region selections (OH Brooke Nuneviller and setter Madi Reum). Libero Camryn Tucker, OPP Emma West, OH-MB Logan Wallerstedt, OH Erica Ronda and OPP Isis Mitchell were plenty involved throughout last season.

Other returning players to watch with all-region credentials are Mountain Pointe senior OH Chapin Gray, Basha setter Alexandra Fisher and Mesa High OH Annie Hatch.

5A-2A

The team to beat in 5A likely is defending D-II champ Notre Dame Prep. The Saints have five of their top players back led by libero Sayler Butters, OH Lexi Johnson and OH Sophie Sydenham. Also on the radar is always-tough Sunnyslope, although the Vikings are reloading after a making a strong run at the D-I title last year (semifinalist).

EV schools competing in 3A are Valley Christian, Benjamin Franklin and American Leadership Academy. Benjamin Frankline is led by juniors Madison Jarvis and Emily Kost. Leadership's top returning player is junior setter Madison Gilchrist. Valley Christian, which made a quarterfinal run in D-III last year, is led by junior OH Courtney Dyer. Valley Christian is a member of a region with ASU Prep, Casteel, Fountain Hills, North Pointe Prep and Yuma Catholic.

Two of the top progams in D-III last year should battle one another in  2A -- Chandler Prep and Horizon Honors. Both reached the D-III semis last year with Chandler Prep taking runner-up honors to Greenway. Chandler Prep is led by all-region senior OH Taylor Sheppy along with senior OH-MB Leslie Cadien, sophomore MB Ali Cohen and senior libero Hannah Weber.  Horizon Honors returns two all-region selections -- senior OH Alexa Smythe and senior libero Giuliana Castronova. Tempe Prep, which competes in the same region with Chandler Prep, Horizon Honors, Rancho Solano Prep and Phoenix Country Day, also returns sophomore all-region hitter Mary Shroll. 

Also in the 2A ranks, Arizona College Prep has all-region returnee--  junior MB Lucy Hoffman. ACP will compete in a region with Arete Prep, Gilbert Christian, San Tan Foothills and Santa Cruz Valley.