Lilli Burrows, center, and Yarmouth, winners of the past five state titles, should be the favorites again this season. Derek Davis/Staff Photographer

1. Yarmouth: Yarmouth had to replace key pieces on a team that won four straight Class B titles, and then won a fifth. This year, there’s no such facelift required. The Clippers bring back seven of eight players who started matches last year, a group led by middle hitters Grace Keaney (156 kills, 49 blocks) and Lilli Burrows (57 kills, 50 aces), who’ll give Yarmouth a 1-2 punch of defense and power up close. Losing Annie Vinnakota, one of the state’s best, is a blow, but Ella Cameron is ready to slide in and be the Clippers’ go-to outside hitter. Setter Laila Brewer, opposite hitter Imogen Wiebus and defensive specialists Drea Rideout and Madi Beaudoin are also back in key roles. It won’t be a cakewalk, but this is the team to beat again.

2. Biddeford: New Coach Andrew Glenn takes over a team that was in the Class A semifinals and has a good chance of making it back. Maeve Donovan should be one of the SMAA’s top offensive players at outside hitter, while sophomore middle hitter Brynn Wilkinson is poised for a breakout season and junior libero Beks Hatch and senior outside hitter Tabrea Richerson return to starting spots. Junior setter Clarice Cote and junior outside hitter Gabby Diggins should step into bigger roles. This is still a young team, but even with only one senior in the mix, it’s a team with players who have been tested, and who have succeeded, in varsity matches.

3. Scarborough: You would think the Red Storm would be in for a season of rebuilding after the graduations of nine seniors, including five starters, but Scarborough has the talent to remain a beast in Class A. Setter Natale Philibert, middle hitter Ally Canatsey and outside hitter Olivia Ingream are seniors who are ready for bigger roles, while sophomore Madi Clements will step into the libero role after an impressive freshman season. The key, though, will be the return of Natalie Moynihan, who tore her ACL last year and wasn’t cleared for play at the start of the season. If and when she returns, Scarborough gets one of the best offensive players in the state back in the mix.

4. Gorham: The defending champions paid the price of victory, losing 10 seniors and all everyday starters. The Rams, though, have the pieces in place to hope for a reload rather than a rebuild. Senior Natalie Smith will be the team’s leader on the court at libero, senior outside hitter Vanessa Walker should have an effective season one year further removed from knee surgery, junior outside hitter Lauren Dunbar is athletic and a difference maker and sophomore setter Liana Edwards is a breakout candidate replacing All-State pick Sophia DiPhilippo. This will be a good defensive and passing team. The Rams just need time to jell; if that happens, they could be a tough foe again.

5. Cape Elizabeth: How do the Capers make their way back to the top in Class B? It’s all about strength in numbers. A total of 48 players turned out for Cape Elizabeth this year, and only three players moved on from last year’s 8-7 team. Back to lead the way this year are junior outside hitter Bella Guerin-Brown, a first-team all-WMC selection, as well as second-team picks Ava Daviault, a junior outside hitter, and Amala Rumma, a senior setter. Senior middle hitter Olive Weyrens, junior setter Chloe Wilson and junior libero Phoebe Caton also started matches. This will be a team with a lot continuity and chemistry, and given last year’s early exit, it’ll be a motivated one as well.