State high school volleyball tournaments at a glance

5A

at Skyline High, Idaho Falls

2015 champion: Idaho Falls

Notes: Lake City, at state for the first time since 2013, opens vs. Mountain View of Meridian, which went two and out in its only other state tourney appearance in 2014. ... Lake City last brought home a trophy in 2011 (third). ... Though Lake City has no one with previous state volleyball experience, first-year Timberwolves coach Jenna Leggat said their season-long mantra of focusing on the process should alleviate any jitters. “We are (different),” Leggat said. “We just have to have that ruthless mentality of just sticking with the process. Because no matter where you’re at, no matter where we play, it’s the same game of volleyball. It’s the same square footage of court. It’s the same ball. And that’s what we have to stay focused on. We have some pretty excellent pieces on this team, and when we come together, and we have that mentality, the sky’s the limit.” ... Idaho Falls, which won last year’s 5A title when the tourney was at Post Falls High, isn’t back to defend its title — but with good reason. Reclassification dropped Idaho Falls to 4A this year, where the Tigers won the District 5-6 title to make a strong top of the 4A field even stronger. ... Bonneville of Idaho Falls, last year’s state runner-up, is back this year. Rocky Mountain of Meridian, which went two and out last year, won the District 3 title this year.

4A

at Hillcrest High, Idaho Falls

2015 champion: Century of Pocatello

Notes: Sandpoint, back at state after missing last year for the first time since 2005, opens vs. Century. 2015 runner-up Skyview of Nampa and third-place Twin Falls are also back.

3A

at Madison High, Rexburg

2015 champion: Shelley

Notes: Timberlake, making its second straight trip to state, opens vs. South Fremont. ... After the Tigers went two and out last year, Timberlake coach Michelle Garwood beefed up their schedule. “We did do some tournaments that helped up our level of play and yes, I feel that was good for the girls because they saw faster, bigger offenses and were able to compete,” Garwood said. Timberlake returns most of last year’s state team, which had just two seniors on the roster. “Our defense works really hard and makes some fabulous plays,” she said. “We know we are little, so defense and serves are a big part of our game. I have 12 hard-working players who push each other each practice and match to get better. We are looking to not only show up for state this year, but to compete with the top teams.” ... Defending champion Shelley did not qualify, but runner-up Sugar-Salem, which swept Timberlake in last year’s state opener, returns.

2A

at Idaho Falls High

2015 champion: Malad

Notes: St. Maries, the District 1-2 champion, qualified for the second straight year in coach Rachele Asbury’s first year ... The Lumberjacks finished fourth at state last year at Lakeland High in Rathdrum ... St. Maries (16-14) opens today’s tournament against West Side at 10 a.m. PDT ... “We’ve been working all year of playing as one group, and the girls showed it in the district championship match,” Asbury said. “I’m really excited to see what they can do at the state tournament.” ... Defending champion Malad opens the tournament against Cole Valley Christian.

1A Division I

at Rigby High

2015: Prairie

Notes: All four trophy winners from last year — Prairie, Genesee (second), Horseshoe Bend (third) and Troy (fourth) — return.

1A Division II

at Bonneville High, Idaho Falls

2015 champion: Richfield

Notes: Kootenai, under third-year coach Mary Gentry, is making its third straight trip to state. The Warriors won their opening match last year, then lost the next two. Kootenai opens vs. Dietrich, which finished third last year. “What they’ve learned in the past two years at state has been that they’ve always possessed the ability to compete at that higher level, now I feel they possess the mentalities to do so,” Gentry said. “This group of girls and I have had a long history together starting from coaching them in the sixth and seventh grade. They definitely developed chemistry together at a young age and have been able to strengthen that over the years, making especially huge strides in just the last few weeks.” ... Senior outside hitter Brook Larson hyper-extended her knee at practice last Friday, but Gentry is optimistic she’ll be able to play at state. “These young women are already class acts on and off the court, so a state championship would just be icing on the cake,” Gentry said.