When second-grader Tori Bertsch made the local park and rec volleyball team, classmate Allison Meehan was jealous.

"I was shorter and didn't join the team," Meehan said. "I was super jealous (of Bertsch). My sister (Danielle) also started volleyball before I did so it was tough."

Bertsch and Meehan attended Calvary Lutheran Preschool in Post Falls together, but when Meehan joined the park and rec volleyball team the following year, the two barely knew each other.

"We knew each other existed back then," Bertsch said. "But that's about all we knew."

Nearly a decade later, Meehan and Bertsch are both senior starters on the Post Falls High volleyball team. They now know nearly everything about each other, and their relationship extends far beyond the court.

"We're best friends," Bertsch said. "We are definitely best friends."

Meehan added, "I love how Tori makes me laugh. Whenever I'm having a bad day, she is always there to pick me up.

"I trust her 100 percent. I know she always has my back. She always does."

It wasn't until the sixth grade - when the girls wound up in the same classes - that their relationship began to take form.

"We had a lot of the same classes and we sort of hit it off from there," Meehan said. "Then we began sitting together at lunch with all of the volleyball girls.

"We've done everything together ever since."

Meehan and Bertsch continued to play club volleyball together and eventually joined the Post Falls Middle School volleyball team.

In high school, the two also played basketball together during their sophomore and junior years as well as running track.

As setter/hitters, the 6-foot Bertsch and the 5-10 Meehan say their experience together provides them an advantage most of their opponents don't have.

Sometimes that advantage seems almost unexplainable.

"Our coaches say we have some sort of telepathic thing out on the court," Meehan said. "I know where she is and she knows where I am. It's definitely an advantage.

"Everyone is always amazed when we run into each other. They say, 'What happened? Your guys' telepathic thing didn't work.'"

Whatever their skill is, it has led the girls - and the Trojans' team - to success.

Both girls were voted to the All-5A Inland Empire League team as juniors.

Bertsch was also voted team MVP last year and Post Falls has qualified for state the past two seasons - after having not gone to state since 1991.

This year's state tournament will be held in Coeur d'Alene, and the girls feel it is a great opportunity to round out their careers with a shot at a championship near their own backyard.

"We love the road trips to games and especially to state. It's a lot of fun," Meehan said. "But when we are home we get a spirit bus, and a lot of our fans are able to come out and support us. Plus we won't have to sleep on hotel beds."

The Trojans (25-6) are second in the 5A Inland Empire League, including a win over league-leading Lake City on Sept. 29. The 5A Region 1 tournament begins Oct. 20, with two berths to state up for grabs.

"We just need to keep playing as a team," Meehan said. "When we get rolling and we are all doing our jobs and playing together ... that's when we win big."

Bertsch echoed, "When we all do our jobs I think it pumps people up. We see everyone doing what they are supposed to do and it's like, 'Wow, she's doing that and I need to do this.'"

Both girls know they can count on each other to help take their team as far as possible.

"I always turn to Allison when we really need someone to hit the ball," Bertsch said. "I always say to myself, 'Oh, I'll set Allison and she'll get a kill.' I just don't have any doubt in that. If we need anything, Allison is the go-to player."

Meehan added, "Wherever Tori is on the court, I can trust her. Whenever I need a play, I set Tori. Whenever I take the first ball, I just know she's going to take the next one. I know she's going to play her best every single game."

When the lights go out and the net inevitably comes down on their senior season, Bertsch and Meehan will have to part ways for the first time since they stepped foot on a volleyball court almost 10 years ago.

"It's going to be different and it's definitely going to be a challenge," Bertsch said. "But I will be home for the holidays and we've already planned to visit and stay at each other's colleges."

Bertsch signed a letter of intent to attend Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Mont., next fall on a volleyball scholarship. Meehan is still undecided but said she is leaning toward North Idaho College where Danielle, a senior at Post Falls two years ago, currently plays. To little surprise, both girls plan on majoring in the same field - business.

"I've always wanted to have an office job," Bertsch said. "I just love the setting."

No matter where their lives take them, the girls plan on continuing their friendship for many years.

"As friends, I just want to enjoy this last bit of senior year," Bertsch said. "Allison is always going to be my friend. I don't have to doubt that. Not everyone has a friend this close or gets to experience what it's like to have such a good friend.

"I will appreciate this all my life."