A look at the six state high school volleyball tournaments, scheduled to unfold today and Saturday in North Idaho gyms, with matches beginning at 8 a.m.:

5A

Idaho Falls lost a first-team all-state tournament middle blocker to graduation from last year’s state champs, but returns another first-teamer in junior outside hitter Maya Taylor, as well as senior Kaydre Thompson, a second-team pick at middle blocker, and junior setter Maddy Reeb.

Since 2001, Idaho Falls has won five state titles and finished second six other times.

Idaho Falls beat Coeur d’Alene in last year’s state title match. The Vikings, who returned everyone from last year, might have been considered state favorites this year, and still figure to be a contender despite the loss of Idaho commit Megan Ramseyer for the season due to a torn ACL.

“I would say Idaho Falls is favored, they have so many players,” Coeur d’Alene coach Dee Pottenger said. “Maya is a special high school athlete; we have to find a way to stop here. She’ll swing from the back row and she’ll serve tough.”

Ramseyer was a first-team all-state tourney selection last year. Outside hitter Missy Huddleston, a senior this year, and middle blocker Sydney Bybee, a junior, were second-team picks for the Vikings, who still boast plenty of firepower.

“We have as good a shot as anyone,” Pottenger said. “I’m pleased with the ball control my libero and DSs have shown, and we have a pretty effective blocking team. We still have a very strong team, but to say we have the team we had last year, is not accurate.”

Two things Coeur d’Alene does have that the Vikings didn’t have last year — state experience (last year was Coeur d’Alene’s first trip to state since 2008), and the addition of freshman middle blocker Kelly Horning.

“Last year’s experience, getting to the state tournament and just playing in it, you gain experience in ways your kids don’t even realize,” Pottenger said.

Bonneville of Idaho Falls, Coeur d’Alene’s first opponent today at 8 a.m. at Post Falls High, has been a 4A power for years. The Bees, who have seven state titles since 1991, moved up to 5A last year and didn’t qualify for state.

Vallivue of Caldwell was third last year, and returns senior outside hitter Kayla Sale, a first-team all-state tournament selection last year.

4A

Century of Pocatello is the five-time defending champion.

Moscow is at state for the first time since 2005, when the Bears won the state 4A title.

Sandpoint is not at state for the first time since 2005, and for only the fourth time since the tournament began in 1976.

3A

Timberlake is back at state for the first time since 2012, though this will be the first state experience for all of the players.

“We have great players,” said Tigers coach Michelle Garwood, who started the program in 1998, “but as far as that superstar, everybody on the court is doing something.”

One key newcomer is freshman outside hitter Kenzie Dean, who “has definitely brought up the level of play,” Garwood said. “The other girls are rising to her level, but the other kids are making the plays too.

“What she brings to us more than anything is that level of expectation; the other girls have stepped up their level of expectation,” Garwood added. “That speaks to the maturity of my players; they see the greater good.”

Timberlake opens vs. Sugar-Salem today at 8 a.m. at Lake City High.

Among others who have led the way for Timberlake are Jacquelyn Mallet, Courtney Eaton, Matraca Rocheleau and Shelbee Hester.

As for her team not having state experience, “I’m not concerned with it one bit,” Garwood said. “This team does rise to the challenge; they play better when they play better teams.”

Fruitland, which won two of the last three state titles, did not qualify this year. Shelley, last year’s runner-up, and 2013 champion Snake River headline this year’s field.

2A

St. Maries, synonymous with the state volleyball tournament for decades, is back at state for the first time since 2012. The Lumberjacks were upset at districts last year after winning the Central Idaho League.

“The statement I make to the girls every day and before every match we’ve played this season is give it everything you’ve got, and leave it all on the floor,” second-year St. Maries coach Amy Scheer said. “We can’t look back, only what’s ahead, so play your hearts out as if this practice or game is the state championship match. Not making it to state last year due to many circumstances, some out of our control, has definitely made an impact on our level of play and set our goals high early on this year.”

St. Maries opens vs. Cole Valley Christian today at 10 a.m. at Lakeland High’s Hawk Court.

Defending champion Malad is on the other side of the bracket.

1A Division I

Prairie is the defending champion, as Timberlake makes its debut as a state volleyball tourney host.

1A Division II

After not having played at state since 2007, Kootenai is back at state for the second straight year.

“We are a different team this year,” second-year Warriors coach Mary Gentry said. “ We have more chemistry, confidence, unity and, of course, tougher mentalities.”

Kootenai (16-6) opens vs. Watersprings School (26-10) of Idaho Falls today at 8 a.m. at Lewiston High.

“Having played last year at the state level will definitely take some pressure off of us going into the tournament,” said Gentry, whose team went two and out in 2014. “I believe we’ve played some larger teams this year that are very comparable to last year’s state competition and we competed very well, at times going home with another ‘W. I feel we’re ready. Our first matchup against Watersprings, never having been to state, will also be less nerving as opposed to last year’s against the two-time defending state champions, Lighthouse Christian.

Lighthouse Christian made it three straight titles last year.

Times PDT

5A

at Post Falls High

Friday

Match 1 — Coeur d’Alene (21-4) vs. Bonneville (25-12), 8 a.m.

Match 2 — Timberline (16-4) vs. Eagle (16-2), 10 a.m.

Match 3 — Idaho Falls (34-6) vs. Centennial (14-5), 8 a.m.

Match 4 — Vallivue (14-5) vs. Rocky Mountain (10-10), 10 a.m.

Match 5 — Loser Match 1 vs. Loser Match 2, 1 p.m.

Match 6 — Loser Match 3 vs. Loser Match 4, 1

Match 7 — Winner Match 1 vs. Winner Match 2, 3

Match 8 — Winner Match 3 vs. Winner Match 4, 3

Match 9 — Winner Match 5 vs. Loser Match 8, 6

Match 10 — Winner Match 6 vs. Loser Match 7, 6

4A

at Coeur d’Alene High

Friday

Match 1 — Twin Falls vs. Middleton (12-4), 8 a.m.

Match 2 — Century vs. Kuna (10-4), 10 a.m.

Match 3 — Moscow vs. Preston, 8 a.m.

Match 4 — Skyview (12-1) vs. Canyon Ridge, 10 a.m.

Match 5 — Loser Match 1 vs. Loser Match 2, 1 p.m.

Match 6 — Loser Match 3 vs. Loser Match 4, 1

Match 7 — Winner Match 1 vs. Winner Match 2, 3

Match 8 — Winner Match 3 vs. Winner Match 4, 3

Match 9 — Winner Match 5 vs. Loser Match 8, 6

Match 10 — Winner Match 6 vs. Loser Match 7, 6

3A

at Lake City High, Coeur d’Alene

Friday

Match 1 — Snake River vs. Parma, 8 a.m.

Match 2 — Kimberly vs. Emmett (14-2), 10 a.m.

Match 3 — Timberlake (22-9) vs. Sugar-Salem (26-12), 8 a.m.

Match 4 — Weiser vs. Shelley (29-4), 10 a.m.

Match 5 — Loser Match 1 vs. Loser Match 2, 1 p.m.

Match 6 — Loser Match 3 vs. Loser Match 4, 1

Match 7 — Winner Match 1 vs. Winner Match 2, 3

Match 8 — Winner Match 3 vs. Winner Match 4, 3

Match 9 — Winner Match 5 vs. Loser Match 8, 6

Match 10 — Winner Match 6 vs. Loser Match 7, 6

2A

at Lakeland High, Rathdrum

Friday

Match 1 — Salmon (14-2) vs. West Side, 8 a.m.

Match 2 — St. Maries (18-1) vs. Cole Valley Christian (13-4), 10 a.m.

Match 3 — Malad (33-4) vs. Declo, 8 a.m.

Match 4 — Nampa Christian (17-5) vs. Firth (9-8), 10 a.m.

Match 5 — Loser Match 1 vs. Loser Match 2, 1 p.m.

Match 6 — Loser Match 3 vs. Loser Match 4, 1

Match 7 — Winner Match 1 vs. Winner Match 2, 3

Match 8 — Winner Match 3 vs. Winner Match 4, 3

Match 9 — Winner Match 5 vs. Loser Match 8, 6

Match 10 — Winner Match 6 vs. Loser Match 7, 6

1A Division I

at Timberlake High, Spirit Lake

Friday

Match 1 — Butte County (17-1) vs. Compass Honors (10-3), 8 a.m.

Match 2 — Prairie vs. Oakley, 10 a.m.

Match 3 — Valley vs. Troy, 8 a.m.

Match 4 — Horseshoe Bend (22-0) vs. Genesee, 10 a.m.

Match 5 — Loser Match 1 vs. Loser Match 2, 1 p.m.

Match 6 — Loser Match 3 vs. Loser Match 4, 1

Match 7 — Winner Match 1 vs. Winner Match 2, 3

Match 8 — Winner Match 3 vs. Winner Match 4, 3

Match 9 — Winner Match 5 vs. Loser Match 8, 6

Match 10 — Winner Match 6 vs. Loser Match 7, 6

1A Division II

at Lewiston High

Friday

Match 1 — Kootenai (16-6) vs. Watersprings (26-10), 8 a.m.

Match 2 — Logos (15-2) vs. Richfield, 10 a.m.

Match 3 — Salmon River (17-2) vs. Lighthouse Christian, 8 a.m.

Match 4 — Dietrich vs. Kendrick, 10 a.m.

Match 5 — Loser Match 1 vs. Loser Match 2, 1 p.m.

Match 6 — Loser Match 3 vs. Loser Match 4, 1

Match 7 — Winner Match 1 vs. Winner Match 2, 3

Match 8 — Winner Match 3 vs. Winner Match 4, 3

Match 9 — Winner Match 5 vs. Loser Match 8, 6

Match 10 — Winner Match 6 vs. Loser Match 7, 6