A change at the top in big school girls volleyball in 2011 seems unlikely.

Four-time defending champ Xavier is well stocked again as the change in name from 5A-I to Division I takes place. Last year's runner-up, Hamilton, narrowly missed taking its first state title in a grueling five-set loss to Xavier. Gilbert is right there again. Desert Vista has the makings of returning to the final four. And Corona del Sol could bounce back and Basha possibly surge in the top four category as well. On paper it doesn't appear that Xavier, Hamilton and Gilbert  are going to slump. That means other programs are going to have to step up to deny them a spot in the final four again.

Here's a look at the top contenders, all from the East Valley, which open the season Tuesday night:

Xavier: One for the thumb is a battle cry for the Gators and coach Tim McHale. Senior setter-outside hitter Bianca Arellano will lead a squad with at least half of its players (7) receiving significant playing time a year ago. Also back is talented libero Amanda Benson, Megan O'Sullivan and Abby Hornacek to name a couple more. The Gators learned to win with injury and illness ies last year. The team's depth came through big time. Losing only two games in the state tournament -- down 2 games to 1 in the final vs. Hamilton -- the Gators showed their mettle as they had most of the year at the most crucial time ralllying to beat the Huskies. The Gators remain a solid favorite to win a fifth title. Xavier opens its season Tuesday at home against Westwood.

Gilbert: Coach Joe Hesse is looking forward to having a full, healthy season out of outside hitter Macey Gardner in her final year with the Tigers. Having Gardner at full strength with standout junior hitter Penina Snuka gives the experienced Tigers and a few other solid returnees a shot at the title this year. They are pretty much always in the running for that spot, but a healthy Gardner at the outset makes in highly plausible. Gilbert visits Basha in its opener on Tuesday. Basha reached the quarterfinals last year.

Hamilton: The Huskies have 8 letter winners back, including four starters. The top returner is libero Alexa Saba, one of the best in the state. Coach Sharon Vanis has a solid group of hitters back, but the key is at setter where the loss to graduation of Jordyn Moody leaves a hole. Hamilton gets a good test out of the gate with Desert Vista visiting on Tuesday.

Desert Vista: The Thunder also has solid veteran players returning with extensive varsity time. Seven players are back led by junior middle Brooke Honeycutt, senior hitter Annilya Robinson and senior defensive specialist Riley Smith. Coach Molly West has guided the Thunder to the semis two of the last three years. They survived a quarterfinal upset bid by Desert Ridge last year, winning three games in a row to stave off elimination. They didn't have enough left in the tank in the semis vs. Xavier. 

Corona del Sol: Too much retooling from a finals appearance in 2009 kept Corona from making a lot of noise last year. The Aztecs should be stronger this year with more tested varsity experience in tow. Coach Ben Maxfield's club is led by seniors Haley Kesteloot (libero), Cassie Fish (setter) and junior Kasey Kiefer (hitter).  The Aztecs had only two seniors last year so a roster heavy in underclassmen learned on the fly and did a commendable job. Corona plays host to Dobson on Tuesday.

Basha: Coach Jim Kann returns four starters, ledy by senior outstide hitter Kehau Baker and senior setter Sydney Arnson. MIddle Megan Byrnes and junior hitter McKeyla Ferris are the other starters back for another go. The Bears reached the quarterfinals last year after outlasting Corona del Sol in the first round of state before falling to Hamilton in the quarters. If Basha improves defensively in 2011 it has the wherewithal to consistently play with the elite in Division I.

Keep an eye on schools that comprised three-fourths of the 5A-II state tournament semifinals last year and are now Division I  schools. They are 5A-II champ Horizon, 5A-II runner-up Desert Mountain and 5A-II semifinalist Centennail. All three are competing with Xavier in D-I, Section III.  Xavier defeated all three schools twice each last season in regular-season games or in invitationals. Horizon, Desert Mountain and Centennial combined for one win over the trio of Gilbert, Hamilton and Desert Vista. That vicotry was Centennial beating Desert Vista once in their two meetings.