The high school volleyball season starts this week with some changes (more than half of the 5A Southern Idaho Conference's teams have new coaches) and more of the same (many of last year's top teams are still the ones to beat).

Here are some of the top story lines to watch:

5A

Defending state champion: Eagle Mustangs (34-2 in 2007)

Defending District Three champion: Eagle

Last year's District Three state qualifiers: Eagle, Centennial, Boise and Capital

Teams to watch: Two-time defending state champion and three-time district champion Eagle returns four starters from a team that finished 2007 ranked 28th in the nation by prepvolleyball.com. Centennial, last year's district runner-up, returns seven lettermen, including four starters. League dark horses include Timberline and Boise.

Players to watch: Two of the best players in the 5A SIC are sisters. Senior setter McKenzie Odale and junior outside hitter Morgan Odale - who play for Eagle - were selected to play for the USA Volleyball High Performance Team over the summer. Rocky Mountain, the new school in Meridian, is led by junior Janel Porter. Centennial's top players include senior defensive specialist Kelsie Lewis and junior outside hitter Jordyn Glorfield. Timberline will be led by a pair of outside hitters - senior Jessie Gould and junior Mariah Smith. Setter/outside hitter Hannah Hettinga, an honorable mention pick in 2007, will lead Capital.

4A

Defending state champion: Bonneville Bees (39-4)

Defending District Three champion: Skyview Hawks (18-2)

Last year's District Three state qualifiers: Skyview, Emmett and Middleton

Teams to watch: The Hawks are considered a league favorite. They are chasing their fifth straight district title and sixth consecutive state tournament appearance, and return four starters. Bishop Kelly returns two starters. Middleton, which finished third at last year's district tournament, should be a contender with four starters returning.

Players to watch: Expect a big year from reigning 4A SIC player of the year Carly Dranginis, who returns for her senior season as a middle blocker for the Hawks. Skyview also returns senior setter Krissy Galeai. Kuna's top returner is 5-8 senior outside hitter Louise Heindel. Bishop Kelly is led by seniors Gabrielle Alonzo (6-0, middle blocker) and Cassie Brunell (setter). Junior Jessica Tiffany will be a solid target for Columbia on the outside. ... Middleton will have height in the middle with 6-0 junior Liz Myers and 5-11 senior Erica Hancock.

3A

Defending state champion: Sugar-Salem Diggers (35-6)

Defending District Three champion: Fruitland Grizzlies (18-2)

Last year's District Three state qualifiers: Fruitland and Weiser

Teams to watch: Weiser has seven seniors and returns five starters. Payette, which returns five starters, should be in the running for a state berth. Defending 3A SRV champ Fruitland has six seniors back, four of whom were starters last year.

Players to watch: The Wolverines have height at the net in 6-0 senior middle blocker/outside hitter Carlie Palmer and 6-0 senior rightside Ana Overgaard. Fruitland returns four-year letterman Kylee Nawahine and senior outside hitter Whitney Mahler. Payette has a pair of 6-0 lefties in senior rightside Hailey Schmidt and sophomore middle blocker Ali Bond.

2A

Defending state champion: Challis Vikings (20-0)

Defending District Three champion: Nampa Christian Trojans (13-6)

Last year's District Three state qualifiers: Nampa Christian and Parma

Teams to watch: Nampa Christian returns every impact player from last season, aside from its setter. The perennial league-leaders also have good height, with four 5-10 players. ... New Plymouth could be a league contender with three returning starters. Parma is a preseason favorite with five returning starters and four players who are 5-11 or taller. ... Melba returns four starters and has eight seniors.

Players to watch: Kaitlin Troost steps in at setter for the Trojans, while Andrea VanderWoude (5-10, middle blocker) and Kayla VanderStelt (6-0, outside hitter/middle blocker) will be the Trojans' power at the net. ... New Plymouth will be led by 5-10 junior outside hitter Sienna Edmunson and 5-9 senior middle blocker Lauren Burnside. Among Parma's strengths will be a pair of 6-0 junior middle blockers - Kali Roche and Alli Nielsen. ... Melba will look to 5-11 junior middle blocker Logan Stirm to lead its offensive attack.

1A

Defending state champion: Hagerman Pirates (28-0)

Defending District Three champion: Horseshoe Bend Mustangs (35-6)

Last year's District Three state qualifiers: Horseshoe Bend, Garden Valley, Greenleaf Friends and Council

Teams to watch: Horseshoe Bend, which finished third at state last season, returns four starters and should be a top contender in Division I. ... Garden Valley and Greenleaf will be among the top teams in the small-school Division II. Meadows Valley could be in contention for a state berth in Division II, with four juniors and two sophomores returning.

Players to watch: Two of the league's top players from last year return for Horseshoe Bend - senior setter/outside hitter Sharsti Goff and senior outside hitter Caryn Renfro. Greenleaf benefits from the return of senior setter Kamiah Stephens. Meadows Valley will be led by 6-0 junior middle blocker Sierra Atnip.

Rachel Roberts: 377-6422

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