Coaches' predicted order of finish

1. Esperanza
Comment: The Aztecs went 10-0 in league and reached the Division II-AA quarterfinals last season, and they did that without their star player Allison Burns, who missed her junior season with a torn ACL. Burns is back and so are most of Esperanza's key players from last season.

2. Edison
Comment: The Chargers picked up Bonnie Samuelson, who is considered one of the top freshmen in the county, and Lynwood-transfer Priscila Cergol to go along with a solid group of returners. Edison and Esperanza, who will both probably reside in the county's top-10 poll all season, will fight it out for the league title.

3. Marina
Comment: Rita Sitivi is one of the top underclassmen in the county and she will help the Vikings nail down a playoff berth and push Edison and Esperanza.

4. Los Alamitos
Comment: The Griffins swept Fountain Valley and Newport Harbor and played tough in losses to Marina and Edison last season. Look for Los Alamitos to be in the hunt for a playoff berth once again.

5. Fountain Valley
Comment: The Barons are much improved from last year's team, but they might be overmatched in this league.

6. Newport Harbor
Comment: The playoffs look like a longshot for the Sailors.

Contact the writer: carias@ocregister.com