The Thomas Jefferson High School boys' volleyball team enters the 2008 season as one of the top teams in Section 3-AA.

"We went through a rebuilding phase last year," Jaguars coach Frank Staffen said. "We won a section title in 2006, but most of that team graduated. We had only three letterman back last year."

Despite the lack of experience, Thomas Jefferson qualified for the WPIAL Class AA playoffs after placing fourth in the section.

"Most of that team is back," Staffen said. "We only lost three of our top 10 players, and have solid replacements for all three. We can be a team to beat if we get running on all cylinders."

Staffen may have to wait a few weeks for that to happen. The Jaguars began the season without Tom Yogan, a 6-foot-2 senior outside hitter.

"Tom tore an ACL early in the football season," Staffen said. "We're hoping to have him back by midseason."

Thomas Jefferson began its season Thursday with a 3-0 non-section win against Keystone Oaks. The Jaguars were also participants in Saturday's 12-team Norwin Invitational.

"We didn't do as well [at the tournament] as I had hoped, but that's to be expected so early in the season," Staffen said. "But it was a good tuneup to get us prepared for section play."

Staffen's top two healthy returnees are Trevor Wildman and D.J. Haddad. Wildman is a 5-11 senior outside hitter who has started since his sophomore season. Haddad is a 6-6 senior middle hitter who is a two-year starter.

"Trevor is very athletic and has a high vertical jump," Staffen said. "He's also a star on the football and basketball teams. He's our strongest hitter, the anchor of our team.

"D.J. became a starter last year in his first year of competitive volleyball. He's improved significantly from last season."

Staffen uses a two-setter offense. Wildman and Ryan Richards were the setters last year.

"Trevor was a hitter and a setter last year," Staffen said. "This year, he's just a hitter."

Richards, a 5-8 junior, will share the setting duties with Colton Kelly, a 5-10 sophomore who lettered last year.

"Moving Trevor to outside hitter allows him to become more of an offensive threat," he said. "And we need that until Tom returns to the lineup."

The other two returning lettermen are 6-1 junior outside hitter Chris Thomas and 5-9 junior libero Ryan King.

"Last year, we had Chris coming off the bench to play in the middle," Staffen said. "This year, we've moved him to the outside.

"Ryan is our best passer. He missed a few games last year due to a broken thumb."

Others expecting to see significant playing time are: 6-2 senior middle hitter Nick Bronder, 6-2 senior outside hitter Mark Glumac, 5-9 senior outside hitter Phil DeSimone, 5-9 junior back-row specialist Brian Cooley and 6-1 junior outside hitter Andrew Gasbarro.

"This is a big week for us," he said. "We have Derry and Latrobe, who were the top two teams in our section last year."

Thomas Jefferson lost a tough 3-2 decision at Derry Tuesday and plays host to Greater Latrobe tonight.

"We have a team that is capable of winning the section title," Staffen said. "We just have to get everybody on the court at the same time."