The last two years it has been Frenchtown and Columbia Falls, Columbia Falls and Frenchtown as the 1-2 finishers at the Northwestern A volleyball divisional.

If that plays out for a third straight year will be determined this weekend in Libby, the tournament host.

Columbia Falls enters the two-day event, which begins today, as the top seed and the favorite. The Wildkats went 8-0 in league play and have a first-round bye.

Frenchtown (7-7), last year’s top seed and the 2012 state runner-up, is seeded third. Libby (10-3) is the second seed. Those two schools play at 1 p.m.

The tournament opens with Polson (6-7) facing Whitefish (1-12) at 11 a.m. in a battle of seeds four and five.

The top two teams advance to state.

“It’s been awhile,” Columbia Falls coach Josie Brown said of the Wildkats winning the regular-season title.

“It’s really nice (being the top seed). The girls are pretty excited.”

Brown said the league “has some pretty competitive teams,” which should make for an interesting divisional.

“They haven’t hit their peak yet,” Brown said of her players.

“They are still coming on and very mentally prepared for this weekend.”

The Wildkats, with five seniors on the roster, field an experienced and talented crew on the floor. But it all starts with a young setter — Cydney Finberg, a sophomore.

She runs the show in her second season in that role.

“She’s our quarterback out there,” Brown said.

“She calls the plays.”

Brown said Finberg is a more seasoned and all-around player this year.

“Her maturity, which comes with tougher competition and being with seniors to meet their expectations,” Brown said of where she has improved the most.

“She’s coming into her own. She has figured out what she has to do on the court for the girls to be successful.”

Columbia Falls is loaded when it comes to attacking. Winter Kemppainen, Ciera Finberg, Carla Nicosia, Tiara Burlage and Morgan Stenger are all dangerous players at the net and difficult to stop.

“We don’t have one person that shines,” Brown said.

“The entire team does. When we are consistent, it doesn’t matter who is in the front row.”

Columbia Falls will face the Polson/Whitefish winner at 3 p.m.

In the evening session, the Polson/Whitefish loser faces the Libby/Frenchtown loser at 5 p.m.

Then at 7, its the Columbia Falls/Polson/Whitefish winner versus the Libby/Frenchtown winner.

The divisional concludes on Saturday.

The state tournament is Nov. 13-15 in Bozeman.

This marks Libby’s final season in Class A, so the Loggers would like to go out on a positive note. Libby will compete in Class B next season.

“It’s a special year for us,” Libby coach Cindy Ostrem-Johnston said.

“This is the most seniors I’ve ever had (seven) and it’s our last year in Class A. If they play like they are capable of and trust their training and experience, they will do well.”

The last time Libby hosted the divisional was 2009. The Loggers won the divisional title that year.

It’s also the last time Libby has advanced to state.

“We have a tough conference,” Ostrem-Johnston said.

“There is not a weak team so you better bring your A game.”

Ostrem-Johnston said the Loggers have played very well since winning a marathon match with Whitefish in five sets. Mahalah Wedel set the state record for digs in that outing with 52.

“Playing with confidence,” Ostrem-Johnston said of her team now.

“They have done a really good job of staying focused and staying composed.”

Libby has lost just once on its home court this fall, and that was to Columbia Falls.