By BRUCE BOURQUIN

Sports writer

Despite injuries to both of their starting setters during the season, the Lake City Timberwolves are back in the state 5A volleyball tournament for the second time in three seasons.

At 10 a.m. Friday at Post Falls High, the Region 1 No. 2 seed Timberwolves (22-8) play their opening-round match against the District 5-6 No. 2 seed Madison Bobcats of Rexburg (19-12), who will take the 480-mile bus ride to Post Falls.

During recent weeks, Lake City switched its offense from a 5-1 set to a 4-2, two-setter set. Brittany Gay, one of the team's original starting setters, was lost for the season in September with torn ligaments in her ankle. Later in the season, Kaity Widmyer was out with a concussion and she returned Oct. 17 at Moscow.

Widmyer's absence allowed sophomore CC Cates to step up into the setter's position. Now, Widmyer and Cates handle the setting.

Timberwolves coach Bret Taylor, who is wrapping up his fifth season at the helm, said the new offense has helped his team, which did not qualify for state last season but finished third at state two years ago at Coeur d'Alene High.

"What that's done is it's helped our middles become consistent with one setter," Taylor said. "In two rotations, we run the setter out of the back row. In four rotations, we run them out of the front row. CC ended up doing a good job when Kaity was out. She got thrown into the fire but she stepped up and did her job very well."

If Lake City wins, it would play the winner between defending state champion and Region 1 top seed Lewiston (31-1) and District 3 No. 2 seed Vallivue of Caldwell at 3 p.m. A Timberwolf loss would pit the team against the Lewiston-Vallivue loser at 1 p.m. Friday.

Vallivue, last season's District 3 champion, lost to Timberline (17-1) in this year's District 3 title game.

Lake City's leading hitters are Natalie Taylor, Madi Farrell and Haile Watson, with Kasey Widmyer providing support.

If Lake City loses its first match Friday, it could still work its way back to the state championship in the double-elimination tournament.

Last season, Madison was the runner-up to Lewiston in a 25-23, 25-27, 25-15, 17-25, 15-6 loss in the championship match.

"(The key is) getting familiar with what they do," Taylor said. "Traditionally, I know they're very tall, they're very well-coached and we have to be ready for that. More than anything, we have to take care of things on our side. You're at the point of your season where if you're playing consistent and you're playing together, then you're going to have some success at state."

Madison's leader in kills is junior opposite hitter Cassidy Sellers. Other leaders in kills include juniors Bailey Klingler and Melissa Adams. The Bobcats' setter is Rachel Sutton.