For the Moon Area High School girls' volleyball team, coach Jason Ferri is hoping for more of the same.

The Tigers have made four consecutive WPIAL playoff appearances, and the goal this season is pretty simple.

"We're shooting for five in a row," said Ferri, who enters his sixth season as Moon's head coach. "We didn't qualify for the [WPIAL] playoffs my first year, but have made it every year since."

Moon placed third in Section 5-AAA last year but made a quick playoff exit after a 3-2 loss to Greater Latrobe.

"Our section was clearly the strongest of the five Class AAA sections last year," Ferri said.

"Mt. Lebanon won the WPIAL title and Upper St. Clair placed second. The fourth- and fifth-place teams from our section were also worthy of a playoff berth but were left out because only the top three qualify."

Section 5-AAA will not be as tough this season, as Upper St. Clair and Peters Township were moved to Section 2-AAA with the WPIAL's realignment. The only new entry is West Mifflin, a team that moved up from Class AA.

"I was a little surprised to see them moved to Section 2," Ferri said. "But it makes sense when you consider they are geographically closer to the schools in that section. I also think the WPIAL wanted to make the conferences more balanced."

With Upper St. Clair and Peters Township out of the picture, Ferri expects Moon to be one of the top three teams in Section 5.

"It's way too early to be making predictions, but Mt. Lebanon is the defending champion, and Baldwin is supposed to have a strong team," Ferri said. "My guess is that the section will come down to a battle between Mt. Lebanon, Baldwin and Moon. I wouldn't be surprised to see any of the three win the section title."

Ferri lost three starters from last year's team to graduation. All three are continuing their career in college.

"We lost three talented players, but last year's team was very deep," Ferri said. "We have nine players back who have varsity experience, including three setters. We had a 12-player rotation last year and will have the same this year."

The three setters are 5-foot-7 senior Amanda Tice, 5-6 senior Alyssa Hall and 5-6 junior Casey Pattyn.

"It's an unusual situation," Ferri said. "We have three setters who are equally talented. We run a 6-2 offense [a two-setter offense] but use all three in a rotation. Sometimes a coach has to match the system to the personnel you have. This is a perfect example of that. It worked last year, so there's no need to make a change."

The top returning hitters are seniors, 6-1 middle hitter Ashley Buse, 5-9 right-side hitter Layne Baggett and 6-0 right-side hitter Katie Love.

"Ashley was voted to the second team of the WPIAL all-star team last year," Ferri said. "She is one of the best players in the WPIAL. We try to get the ball to her as much as possible. She has already accepted a scholarship offer to Duquesne University.

"Layne is a three-time WPIAL hurdles champion who also won a PIAA title last year. At times it looks as if she has springs in her shoes. Katie is another strong hitter and blocker."

The other three returning letter-winners are 5-6 senior libero Amanda Ardinger, 5-6 junior outside hitter Tara Gorndt and 5-9 junior defensive specialist Maddie Fecko.

"Having such a big rotation really helps late in a match," Ferri said. "It especially helps in tournament play."

Newcomers who join the Tigers 12-player rotation are 5-7 sophomore outside hitter Rachel Pataro, 5-10 sophomore middle hitter Lily Deasy and 5-7 junior outside hitter Kristen Miller.

"I'm looking forward to Saturday's tournament at Mt. Lebanon," Ferri said. "We are one of seven entries, and the other six are among the best in the WPIAL. It will give us an indication of how good we are."

Moon opens its Section 5 schedule Sept. 9 against visiting Baldwin.