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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Preview: Idaho state volleyball

5A

Where: Lake City High School. When: Friday and Saturday. First-round matches: Match 1 – Eagle (29-3) vs. Madison (24-18), 8:30 a.m.; M2 – Post Falls (26-8) vs. Centennial (27-8), 10; M3 – Idaho Falls (30-7) vs. Borah (25-10), 11:30; M4 – Lewiston (18-11) vs. Rocky Mountain (21-5), 1 p.m.

Defending champ: Eagle

At a glance: Eagle has won three straight titles and qualified for state for an 11th straight year. No team has won four consecutive titles since Sandpoint won five in a row from 1982-86. Eagle has won four titles this decade. Idaho Falls, which qualified for a 10th straight year, won three straight before Eagle (2003-05). … Post Falls is making its first trip to state since 1991 and third in school history. “This is a huge reward for these girls,” PF coach Willow Hanna said of qualifying for state. “We’re going to make sure we play our game. This is a bonus for us. We’re going to have some fun doing it.” … Each team plays two matches Friday.

4A

Where: Post Falls High School. When: Friday and Saturday. First-round matches: Match 1 – Bonneville (33-3) vs. Columbia (16-1), 8:30 a.m.; M2 – Twin Falls (30-14) vs. Century (40-6), 10; M3 – Kuna (14-3) vs. Minico (12-6), 11:30; M4 – Sandpoint (22-4) vs. Hillcrest (22-19), 1 p.m.

Defending champ: Sandpoint

At a glance: Sandpoint and Bonneville have been the state powers this decade. Sandpoint has won five state titles and Bonneville three. They expect to face off again for the championship this weekend. … Sandpoint finished runner-up in the prestigious Crossover Classic in Spokane two weeks ago, and Sandpoint coach Karen Alsager said the tourney was timely for her team. “It came at a good time for us. It renewed our confidence,” Alsager said. “We’re ready to go.” … Each team plays two matches Friday.

3A

Where: Coeur d’Alene High School. When: Friday and Saturday. First-round matches: Match 1 – Snake River (27-4) vs. Sugar-Salem (29-11), 8:30 a.m.; M2 – St. Maries (21-3) vs. Filer (17-6), 10; M3 – Fruitland (30-8) vs. Priest River (11-11), 11:30; M4 – Kimberly (23-2) vs. Shelley (24-14), 1 p.m.

Defending champ: Sugar-Salem

At a glance: Sugar-Salem is seeking a fourth straight title. Four consecutive titles would still be one short of the second-longest streak (Bear Lake, five) and the longest (St. Maries, 10). … St. Maries has finished runner-up the past two years. The Lumberjacks start two freshmen and two sophomores, but coach Tia Asbury said the team is better than a year ago. “Although we had a pretty good team last year, I think we’re a little bit better this year,” Asbury said. “They’ve improved tremendously since the beginning of the season.” … Each team plays two matches Friday.

2A

Where: Lakeland High School. When: Friday and Saturday. First-round matches: Match 1 – Nampa Christian vs. Soda Springs, 8:30 a.m.; M2 – Butte County vs. Grangeville, 10; M3 – Grace vs. Parma, 11:30; M4 – Declo vs. West Jefferson, 1 p.m.

Defending champ: Parma