In District 5 Class A, there is no clear-cut favorite, with four teams who could all be crowned champion when it is all said and done.
Conemaugh Township, which played for a District 5 title a season ago, dropping a five-set thriller to Berlin, holds the top spot currently with a 7-1 mark.
The Indians have arguably the most experienced roster led by senior setter Madison Showalter and middle hitter Maciah Holsopple. They have all the intangibles to make another run for a D5 title this season.
Right behind Conemaugh Township is Shade. First-year head coach Emma Spinelli has the Panthers off to its best start in years.
Taylor Rapsky and Jenna Muha are one of the top hitting combos in the county. Cassie Mauger has been nothing but consistent at the setter position.
The one-loss Panthers will find out what they are made of when they visit the Indians Monday night in Davidsville.
Shanksville is also off to a quality start this season. The Vikings already have two signature victories over Berlin and Conemaugh Township this season.
Rylee Snyder and Josie Snyder have provided Shanksville with a quality hitting tandem. Abby Lohr and Katie Muro keep a lot of balls alive on the defensive side, while setter Liz Salsgiver has guided the offense.
And then there is four-time defending champion, Berlin. While the Mountaineers are not exactly off to the most rousing start to the season, Berlin is still a formidable opponent.
Until someone is able to dethrone them, the Mountaineers are still the team to beat, despite two conference losses already.
Senior, and two-time all-state selection, Grace Dorcon has been a mainstay for the Mountaineers. If the role players continue to develop as the season progresses, Berlin could find itself in the thick of things come playoff time.
For the past 16 years, North Star has dominated District 5 whether it was in Class A or AA. The Cougars have won 16 straight District 5 crowns — the last four in Class AA.
Off to a 6-2 start, North Star is still trying to find its identity with a new roster. Three-time all-state selection Syd Ashbrook along with sophomore Anna Grandas have set the tone thus far for the Cougars. Emily Bittner is also providing senior leadership.
North Star earned two big wins last week over Shanksville and against another team looking to make an impact in the District 5-AA race, Windber.
The Ramblers knocked off previously unbeaten Shade last week, and are 6-2 on the season.
Seniors Amanda Cominsky, Eryn Marsh and Jordyn Kris provide experience. Windber is deep behind that trio, including juniors Hannah Tallion, Mady Arnold and Isabelle Byer.
The Ramblers have a big week ahead with matchups against Berlin and North Star, along with a showdown against Conemaugh Township next Monday.
As the playoff push surges on, the top teams traditionally rise to the occasion. But, this year, more so than any of the previous, it is unknown who those teams will be.