State Volleyball Tournaments

Where: A-1 at Lake City High School; A-2 at Coeur d’Alene High School; A-3 at Lewiston High School; A-4 at Lewis Clark State College.

When: Friday and Saturday Admission: Tournament pass $15, discount pass $10 (for senior citizens and students with activity cards). General admission per session $5, discount admission $4. Children under 6 admitted free.

A-1 pairings: Match 1 - Lake City vs. Centennial, 9 a.m. M2 - Highland vs. Bonneville, 10:30. M3 - Hillcrest vs. Sandpoint, noon. M4 - Boise vs. Capital, 1:30.

A-2 pairings: Match 1: Shelley vs. Bear Lake, 9 a.m. M2 - St. Maries vs. Weiser, 10:30. M3 - Emmett vs. Snake River, noon. M4 - Wood River vs. Moscow, 1:30.

A-3 pairings: Match 1- Homedale (17-1) vs. Butte County (27-8), 9 a.m. M2 - Prairie (21-7) vs. Fruitland (17-3), 10:30. M3 - Filer (27-8) vs. Orofino (15-7), noon. M4 - West Side (17-2) vs. Firth (24-10), 1:30.

A-4 pairings: Match 1 - Troy (23-1) vs. Hagerman (15-5), 9 a.m. M2 - Falls Christian (14-2) vs. Greenleaf Friends (17-2), 10:30. M3 - Rockland (16-6) vs. Midvale (19-7), noon. M4 - Murtaugh (21-2) vs. Cambridge (22-5), 1:30.

Second-round pairings (at all sites): M5 - M1 winner vs. M2 winner, 4. M6 - M1 loser vs. M2 loser (loser out), 5:45. M7 - M3 winner vs. M4 winner, 7:15. M8 - M3 loser vs. M4 loser, 8:45.

Saturday (at all sites): Consolation matches begin at 10 a.m. Championship semifinal, 1 p.m. Third-place match, 5. Championship match, 6:30. If-necessary match, 8.

A-1

LAKE CITY TIMBERWOLVES

Record: 11-10

Road to state: Region I champ

Coach: Kent Scanlon

Top players: Lindsay Herbert, senior, 5-foot-11, middle hitter; Jennifer Derr, sophomore, 5-3, setter; Brianne Taylor, sr., 5-8, outside hitter; Kellie Stern, jr., 5-11, mh; Kelley McCabe, sr., 5-10, oh.

Coach’s comment: “The pressure is off us now. That’s the wonderful thing about winning the regional. We have an opportunity to relax, and who knows what that will do for us.”

At a glance: The Timberwolves appear to be peaking at the right time, knocking off Inland Empire League champ Sandpoint twice including a comeback decision in the regional title game. If they play at recent level they will contend for a trophy. LC hopes to be a playing host through both days of the tourney.

SANDPOINT BULLDOGS

Record: 20-4

Road to state: Region I runner-up; defeated Borah in cross-district playoff for state berth.

Coach: Jeff Hurst

Top players: Jessica Lippi, soph., 5-10, s; Rochelle Ruen, freshman, 5-11, mh; Megan Lippi, soph, 5-10, oh; Jennifer Jeffres, jr., 5-7, oh.

Coach’s comment: “If you had to put numbers on it we’d like to be in the top five. The valuable thing for us is we’re here and that’s good for next year because they’ll have a good chance to win (state).”

At a glance: Until its win in a playoff Saturday, Sandpoint has played inconsistently in stressful situations. The Bulldogs’ streak of 19 straight state appearances was snapped last year. The team’s nucleus is made up of underclassmen - two freshmen and two sophomores start. The Bulldogs drew a tough opener. Dark horse would best describe Sandpoint and LC.

BONNEVILLE BEES

Record: 29-8

Road to state: District VI runner-up; defending state champ.

Coach: Dave Albiston

Top players: Gina Albiston, sr., 5-9, oh; Brittney Rowberry, sr., 5-8, oh; Mindy Butikofer, jr., 5-11, mh; Trish Pettingill, jr., 5-7, s.

Coach’s comments: “We’re going to state to win the tournament. I feel like we’re coming together at the right time.”

At a glance: Albiston’s daughter, Gina, was in an auto accident last week, but she escaped with minor injuries. Her dad held her out of the final two matches against Hillcrest. She’s averaged a team-leading six kills per game. The Bees graduated just two starters off last year’s state title team and are favored to advance from their bracket to the final.

HILLCREST KNIGHTS

Record: 29-8

Road to state: District VI champ

Coach: Jeff Craven

Top players: Jessica Peterson, sr., 6-1, oh; Krista Bowers, sr., 6-0, mh; Jessica Hayward, sr., 5-10, mh; Jessie Brown, sr., 5-9, s; Cathryn Stephens, sr., 5-10, right-side hitter.

Coach’s comment: “I think we’re better than Bonneville. We’re kind of flying high right now.”

At a glance: This could finally be the Knights’ year after three straight runner-up finishes. With exception of Boise, no team will be taller than Hillcrest, which will start a front line that averages 6 feet or taller. “They’ve got a college type of offense,” Bonneville’s Albiston said.

HIGHLAND RAMS

Record: 27-7

Road to state: District IV-V champ

Coach: Tammy Christian

Top players: Joy Kugler, sr., 5-10, oh; Erin Ricks, jr., 5-10, oh; Lisa Taylor, sr., 5-9, mh; Renee DesFosses, sr., 5-6, rh.

Coach’s comment: “We think a state title is realistic. The girls are more focused toward that this year than last year. They realize it’s more within our grasp.”

At a glance: Highland is thinking upset in its state opener against Bonneville. Three starters return off Highland’s state team a year ago that was eliminated in two matches. The Rams will likely have to fight through the losers’ bracket to earn a trophy.

BOISE BRAVES

Record: 16-3

Road to state: District III champ

Coach: Sandy Haddon

Top players: Carly Merkel, sr., 5-10, s; Megan Anderson, sr., 6-0, mh; Emily Darger, sr., 6-1, oh; Joella Schiepan, sr., 5-11, mh.

Coach’s comment: “I see us in the top three. We’re shooting to do better than last year. We have a lot of (club) experience.”

At a glance: Boise finished third last year, and the tall Braves should have tall expectations. After Hillcrest and Bonneville, Boise has the best shot at a state title. The Braves can’t look past league rival Capital in opener.

CENTENNIAL PATRIOTS

Record: 10-10

Road to state: District III runner-up

Coach: Steve Bartlett

Top players: Melissa Boyle, sr., 6-0, oh/s; Michelle Ewing, sr., 5-9, oh/s; Crissie Bacon, sr., 5-5, defensive specialist; Natalie Cazier, sr., 5-4, ds.

Coach’s comment: “We know we’re not going to be favored. We haven’t been favored in anything. We’ve been a work-in-progress all year.”

At a glance: Centennial finished seventh in a 10-team conference and had to win a playoff to advance to the district tourney. Then the Patriots caught fire, finishing second. The Pats are defensive-minded, hoping to keep the ball in play long enough for an opponent to make mistakes.

CAPITAL EAGLES

Record: 15-4

Road to state: Finished third in District III; defeated Twin Falls in cross-district playoff for state berth.

Coach: Sharon Boland

Top players: Clair Lungren, sr., 5-8, oh; Shiloah Loveless, sr., 5-5, s; Rachel Roberts, sr., 5-9, mh.

Coach’s comment: “If we play our game and do a good job defensively, we can go toe to toe with any team. Defense and serving must be there for us.”

At a glance: It’ll be Boise’s offense vs. Capital’s defense in the teams’ opener. Capital won the Southern Idaho Conference and was 2-3 overall against Boise. For a state opener, this is a rivalry match.

A-2

ST. MARIES LUMBERJACKS

Record: 20-2

Road to state: District I-II champ

Coach: Mitch Santos

Top players: Bridgette O’Dwyer, sr., 5-10, mh; Kim Reid, sr., 5-6, oh; Jamie Hammes, jr., 5-10, oh; Alicia Adams, sr., 5-5, s.

Coach’s comment: “The girls have been pushed all year long and they’ve responded fairly well. I like how we’re playing going into state.”

At a glance: The Lumberjacks will earn a trophy, and they should challenge for gold. They may not be as dazzling as past St. Maries teams, but they won’t beat themselves. The Lumberjacks have qualified for all A-2 tournaments, the most of any team.

MOSCOW BEARS

Record: 12-10

Road to state: District I-II runner-up

Coach: Amy Thompson

Top players: Courtney Goetz, soph., 6-1, mh; Andrea Thomas, sr., 5-6, s; Kara Swank, sr., 5-9, oh.

Coach’s comment: “We’ve been working for this for three years. We’ve worked from the bottom up to get here. It’s been a long time coming, and it feels darn nice.”

At a glance: If Moscow makes it to Saturday consider it a successful year. The Bears will have to play as well as they have all season to have a shot at knocking off traditional qualifier Wood River.

EMMETT HUSKIES

Record: 20-2

Road to state: District III champ; defending state champ.

Coach: Mindy Rice

Top players: Brenda Beal, jr., 6-1, mh; Sarah Ahlers, jr., 5-11, oh; Sabrina Brown, jr., 5-9, s.

Coach’s comment: “It’s a different team than last year, but they’ve got a lot of talent.”

At a glance: The Huskies may be a marked team after winning state last year. They graduated four of six starters. Emmett will have to play solid defense and pick things up at the net to have a shot at repeating.

WEISER WOLVERINES

Record: 20-2

Road to state: District III runner-up

Coach: Jon Lundberg

Top players: Laura Roberts, sr., 5-7, oh; Samantha Peterson, sr., 5-7, mh; Wendi Porter, sr., 5-8, rh.

Coach’s comment: “They’ve been real good at getting to state, but they haven’t been real competitive. But anything can happen and we’re going with the idea that we’re going to do well. But in reality, it’s a very tough road.”

At a glance: The Wolverines have been to state four times out of the last five years, but have only won one match. Roberts, who didn’t play last year but has more than 200 kills this season, could be a powerhouse for her team. But they face a tough test against St. Maries.

WOOD RIVER WOLVERINES

Record: 28-6

Road to state: District IV champ

Coach: Reamy Goodwin

Top players: Summer Williams, sr., 5-5, s; Kristyn Price, jr., 5-8, oh; Amy Sturtevant, sr., 5-8, oh.

Coach’s comment: “They’re a good team in terms of being really fun, really fast, great defense, really quick offense and great passing. I’ve got a setter that can run a good offense. We end up beating people on raw speed.”

At a glance: The Wolverines have state experience going for them as they make a fourth straight trip. They will be favored in their first-round match, but may have trouble advancing thereafter because of a lack of height.

BEAR LAKE BEARS

Record: 31-7

Road to state: District V champ

Coach: Laura Cammack

Top players: Melissa Burdick, sr., 5-9, oh; Stephanie Kropushek, soph., 5-11, mh.

Coach’s comment: “We have tried hard on every aspect of the game. I’m hoping weaknesses aren’t going to appear. We’ve been there eight times (since 1985). Knowing the teams there will help, but all the others have been there too.”

At a glance: Bear Lake took third place last year and is a favorite this year. But it will have to work on digging because “we aren’t a real tall team.” Preston coach Launa Moser says this is best Bear Lake team she’s seen.

SNAKE RIVER PANTHERS

Record: 20-12

Road to state: District V runner-up; upset perennial state power Preston.

Coach: Shauna Matthews

Top players: Melissa Saxton, sr., 5-8, mh; Jan Bair, sr., 5-7, oh; Janel Esplin, sr., 5-8, rh.

Coach’s comment: “I think we’re bringing in a good team. It took us half the season to do some things, but they’ve played well lately. We changed offense in the middle of the stream, going from a 5-1 to a 6-2, but we’ve improved a lot.”

At a glance: The Panthers could be the best of the unknown teams at state. But teams would be wise not to overlook Snake River after the big win over Preston. Consider the Panthers dark horses.

SHELLEY RUSSETS

Record: 23-1

Road to state: District VI champ

Coach: Mike Jensen

Top players: Holly Foster, sr., 5-9, s; Melissa Jensen, sr., 6-0, oh; Jessica Blake, jr., 6-1, mh.

Coach’s comment: “We have great setting, passing, blocking and defense. Both Melissa and Holly are four-year lettermen.”

At a glance: The Russets’ lone loss was to Preston. Traditionally, District VI teams go to state with deceiving win-loss records because they aren’t pushed in their region. Shelley, eliminated in two matches at state last year, will have a distinct height advantage against most opponents. , DataTimes