The Seton-LaSalle girls' volleyball team won't have a chance to defend the WPIAL Class A title it won last year, but that doesn't mean the Rebels can't win back-to-back WPIAL titles.

Seton-LaSalle is competing in Class AA after two seasons in Class A. The Rebels are one of 23 teams that qualified for the WPIAL Class AA tournament, and one of nine with a preliminary round bye.

"I didn't coach the team last year, but after talking with the players and their parents, it's obvious that the competition in Class AA is much stronger," first-year coach Mark Felbinger said. "Some of their matches last year were done in 40 minutes ... over before you knew it. This year, we've faced much stiffer competition."

Seton-LaSalle competed in Section 2-AA and played well enough to tie with Mars for the section title. The Rebels posted an 11-1 record and split their two matches with Mars, earning Felbinger's squad a No. 6 seed in the Class AA bracket.

"I was surprised to see where some of the teams were seeded, but overall I was pleased with the bracket," Felbinger said. "I was just hoping that we didn't have to play in the preliminary round."

Seton-LaSalle made its return to the Class AA playoffs last night with a first-round match against Elizabeth Forward, the Section 5-AA champion. The Warriors advanced to the first round with a 3-0 win Tuesday against Washington in the preliminary round.

Felbinger is concerned with the health of his team.

"Half of our school has been sick with a flu the past two weeks," he said.

"We had four players miss practice Monday. It may come down to which team is the healthiest."

Seton-LaSalle's only section loss came in the second half of the schedule.

"We beat Mars, 3-0, in the first half and won each game by at least five points," Felbinger said. "The second match went to five games. We won two of the first three games and had a 19-13 lead in the fourth game, but just couldn't close it out.

"One good thing that came out of that match was that we learned that we were very vulnerable. Up until that point, we weren't tested. They got the job done, and we didn't."

Seton-LaSalle's success in Class AA is no surprise, as all but two starters are back from last year's WPIAL championship team.

The Rebels are led by two WPIAL All-Stars -- 5-foot-11 senior middle hitter Aubrey Johnson and 5-4 senior outside hitter Brittany Brace.

Johnson is a four-time WPIAL and Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association All-Star, twice in Class A and twice in Class AA. Brace was a second-team WPIAL All-Star last year.

"Aubrey has started every game since her freshman year," Felbinger said. "Her great hitting ability and court awareness is something you can't teach. I was a middle hitter when I played and I take joy in watching her play. She's so impressive.

"Brittany is also a very good hitter and a very gifted defensive player."

The other co-captian is Elizabeth Dobrosielski, a 5-7 senior outside hitter.

The setters are 5-5 senior Susan Pollins, 6-0 junior Kara Flannery and 5-11 sophomore Amy O'Keefe.

Other returning lettermen are 5-10 senior outside hitter Sarah Hunt, 5-3 senior libero Ali Nicola, 5-9 junior middle hitter Natalie Kist, 5-8 junior middle hitter Bridget Deasy and 5-9 junior outside hitter

"Sarah stepped into the starting lineup when Brittany missed three weeks with a shoulder injury and did very well," Felbinger said.

"Natalie is the most improved player on the team. Her hitting and blocking has improved significantly from the first day of practice until now."

O'Keefe is one of three newcomers to the varsity. The other two are 5-1 junior libero Jordan Grgurich and 5-6 sophomore outside hitter Alana Ligget.