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Mead seeks eighth state crown

Mead volleyball coach Judy Kight, right, and the No. 1 Panthers are in search of their first state title since 2009. (Jesse Tinsley)

4A

at Saint Martin’s University, Lacey

Teams returning: 8

Placers returning: Olympia, 1st; Jackson, 4th; Puyallup, 5th; Skyline, 6th; Newport (Bellevue), 7th; Bellarmine Prep, 8th.

Outlook: Mead is seeking its eighth state title in 14 consecutive appearances since 1999. The Panthers, who are in search of their first state title since 2009, were ranked No. 1 in the state coaches’ final poll. Jackson, the 2010 champ, was ranked second. It shapes up as a highly competitive tourney. All 10 teams in the final poll qualified.

3A

at Saint Martin’s University, Lacey

Teams returning: 7

Placers returning: Seattle Prep, 3rd; Mt. Spokane, 4th; Prairie, 5th; Mount Si, 6th; Timberline, 8th.

Outlook: Mt. Spokane is seeking a fifth straight trophy in its sixth consecutive state trip. The Wildcats were ranked fourth in the final coaches’ poll. Top-ranked Mercer Island and No. 2 Columbia River are favored.

2A

at Pierce College, Lakewood

Teams returning: 7

Placers returning: Burlington-Edison, 1st; Tumwater, 2nd; Selah, 3rd; White River, 4th; Anacortes, 5th.

Outlook: The top five placers from a year ago return. Making this an even deeper field are two other 2011 state champs – West Valley of Yakima (3A) and Colville (1A), which was ranked fourth in the final coaches poll. Colville is making its 16th state trip.

1A

at Yakima SunDome

Teams returning: 9

Placers returning: Castle Rock, 2nd; King’s, 3rd; Lynden Christian, 4th; Freeman, 5th.

Outlook: Last year’s champ, Colville, is in 2A, but the second through fifth placers return along with four other 2011 qualifiers. Castle Rock was ranked first in the final coaches’ poll. Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls) was ranked second and could make some noise. Freeman has a tough draw, opening with Castle Rock.

2B

at Yakima SunDome

Teams returning: 9

Placers returning: Reardan, 1st; Colfax, 2nd; Darrington, 3rd; Bear Creek, 5th; Kittitas, 8th.

Outlook: Reardan, winner of the last three state titles, is back but may not be the favorite. Colfax was ranked first in the final coaches’ poll. Other contenders are Bear Creek and Pe Ell.

1B

at Yakima SunDome

Teams returning: 9

Placers returning: Tekoa-Oakesdale, 1st; Colton, 2nd; Christian Faith, 4th; Wilbur-Creston, 5th; Moses Lake Christian, 6th; Odessa-Harrington, 7th; Sunnyside Christian, 8th.

Outlook: Tekoa-Oakesdale was ranked No. 1 in the final coaches’ poll while Colton was third. Other area qualifiers also were ranked – Wilbur-Creston (fourth), Odessa-Harrington (sixth) and Almira/Coulee-Hartline (10th). T-O and Colton are seeded on opposite sides of the bracket and could face off for the second straight year in the final.