Published: 10/30/09

Northern Idaho will be overwhelmed with high school volleyball players and fans this weekend. All six state tournaments begin Friday and run through Saturday in the Coeur d'Alene area. Here are some of the top local teams and players to keep an eye on:

5A TOURNAMENT

2008 champion: Eagle

Handicapping the field: As the three-time defending champion, Eagle remains the tournament favorite. With Eagle and Rocky Mountain on opposite sides of the bracket, it's possible the title game will come down to these teams, who faced off for the District Three championship. Eagle won that title to complete the season sweep.

District Three qualifiers

Eagle Mustangs (29-3): Four starters return from last year's state championship team - Morgan Odale (463 kills, 97 aces), Liz Daylong (334 digs), Summer Mitchell (134 kills) and Betty Van Lith (458 assists) - but three are playing different positions. The Mustangs are using two setters - Morgan Sipherd (380 assists) and Van Lith - and have moved four-year starter Odale back to outside hitter.

Centennial Patriots (27-8): The Patriots are the only Idaho team to defeat Eagle since 2005, but Centennial has had its highs and lows this season, finishing third in the district tournament two weeks after beating the Mustangs. Senior outside hitter Jordyn Glorfield and junior middle Karli Parrish put up big blocks, while senior Molly O'Connell (setter/righside) and junior Dannen Wright (setter) add stability to the lineup.

Borah Lions (25-10): The Lions are making their first appearance at state since 2005, when they went two-and-out. Borah has a mix of youth and experience in sophomores Hannah Schleis (middle, 361 kills, 72 blocks) and Jade Gray (setter, 748 assists, 197 digs) and seniors Hilary Platt (middle, 256 kills, 45 aces) and Sydney Porter (libero, 403 digs).

Rocky Mountain Grizzlies (21-5): The Grizzlies were the surprise at state last year - finishing fourth - but they're one of the favorites this year with the return of all but one player. Sophomore setter Sierra Porter (621 assists) has plenty of weapons, including 6-foot-1 junior outside hitter Megan Sorenson, who leads the team with 428 kills. Outside hitter Janel Porter has a team-high 326 digs.