As expected, the new rule reverting back to the best-of-three to decide matches isn't sitting well with most South Jersey coaches.

When the National Federation of State High School Associations dropped its requirement that all states conform to the best-of-five format, the New Jersey Interscholastic Athletic Association surveyed the schools in the state, and by an 87-44 vote, members preferred the best-of-three format.

The state's executive committee went along with the vote and the best-of-three format was adopted in the fall with the girls.

Under the new system, matches will be decided in the best-of-three 25-point game format with rally scoring (a point awarded on every serve).

"It makes matches too short," Eastern coach Tom Armour said. "We have longer bus rides than we have matches.

"It cuts down the playing time for the kids. Especially the kids who are not starters. Under the best-of-five, coaches were able to get more players to participate."

Cherry Hill West coach Scott Sweeten says it is bad news for the sport.

"I just plain don't like it," Sweeten said. "I see it as an embarrassement to the state. The more touches in a match the kids get, all the better. Playing 25-minute varsity matches just isn't right."

On the other side of the coin, school administrators cite the fact the kids get home at a decent hour and can attend to other matters like homework and study, and it's less costly in terms of paying officials. Conference alignment

The Olympic Conference again will have three divisions. The American and National divisions will have six teams each, while the Patriot Division will have a five-team field.

Last year each division had five teams. With the addition of Cinnaminson and GCIT it became necessary to realign the division structure.

The most notable change will have Williamstown, the Patriot Division winner last year, moving to the American Division to join Cherry Hill East, Cherry Hill West, Eastern, Washington Township and Pennsauken.

The Patriot Division will be composed of Moorestown, Clearview, Camden County Tech, Camden and Woodrow Wilson. Camden County Tech takes the place of Williamstown in the division after competing in the National Division last year.

The National Division makeup will have GCIT, Cinnaminson, defending champion Collingswood, Pennsauken Tech, Sterling and St. Augustine. New team

Speaking of Cinnaminson, the Pirates are making their debut in the sport this year.

The team will be under the direction of Robert Spier, who played competitive volleyball at Temple University.

Spier said that this year's team will be composed mostly of seniors.

"That's a good thing for this year," Spier said. "But not so good for next year."

He said he has been pleased with the work ethic the kids have shown so far.

"They are excited about being the first volleyball team at Cinnaminson," Spier said. "They are very enthusiastic, come to practice early and stay late. They want to learn the game. Right now we are a little weak in our passing game but hopefully that will improve as the season goes on."

Spier said the team was given a jolt of reality in its first scrimmage against Pennsauken.

"We did okay but it turned out to be a wakeup call for the kids," he said. "They saw what a real game is like and now realize how much more work they have ahead of them." Congratulations

Veteran Eastern coach Tom Armour will be inducted into the New Jersey Coaches Hall of Fame on Sunday at a luncheon at the Pines Manor in Edison.

Armour, a teacher at Haddon Township for the past 33 years, is now in his 11th season heading the Eastern program. In his first 10 years, Armour has posted a 148-80 record. He has also coached the Eastern girls for the past 10 seasons, including a Group 4 state championship in 2001.