HIGHLAND RAMS

Head coach: Kolay Sutton, third season

2016 results: Eliminated in district tournament.

Key returners: OH Olivia Curtis, Sr.; L Karli Hall, Sr; OH Allie Thayne, Sr.

Key losses: Brooke Fuelling, Brynn Rasmussen.

Outlook: Highland went winless in district play last season, but with a large senior class and two freshmen on the 12-player squad, third-year coach Kolay Sutton is optimistic heading into 2017.

The Rams return senior Olivia Curtis at outside hitter after she made the 5A District 5-6 all-conference list, and honorable mention outside hitter Karli Hall is back as senior libero. “We have some different kids in different position,” Sutton said. “We have great height at the net. We have some fantastic blockers. Pretty loaded on the defensive end of things.”

CENTURY DIAMONDBACKS

Head coach: Breanne Robinson, first season (interim)

2016 results: 1-2 at 4A state tournament.

Key returners: OH Zoe Thiros, Jr.; L Adriene Pavek, Sr.; MB Chinma Njoku, Jr.; RH Lexi Bull, So.; L Julia McNulty, So.

Key losses: Lexi Moore, Baily Permann, Alexis Rifelj.

Outlook: Century suffered an uncharacteristic early exit from the 4A state tournament last season but has reloaded. Led by junior outside hitter Zoe Thiros and junior middle blocker Chinma Njoku up front, the Diamondbacks boast good size at the net. Century lacks the senior leadership it’s had in past seasons, but young, experienced players will help bridge the gap. The D-backs are led by first-year interim coach Breanne Robinson, who took over the program after eight-year head coach Pauline Thiros announced a leave of absence in May. Robinson was an assistant coach under Thiros the last two seasons. “It’s my first head position,” Robinson said. “There’s definitely a little bit of nerves there, but I’ve been with the program for the past two seasons, so I know all the girls and I’ve got some really great assistants with me.”

POCATELLO INDIANS

Head coach: Jasmine Corsetti, second season

2016 results: Eliminated in district tournament.

Key returners: OH Mikki Nielsen, Sr.; L Zoey Wright, Sr.; DS Austen Kalivas, Sr.; MB Destiny Harris, Jr.; S Madison Wilkes, So.

Key losses: None.

Outlook: Pocatello is deep with 12 players on its varsity roster, including four seniors and five juniors. Senior libero Zoey Wright leads the group as the reigning ISJ All-Area first-team libero, and is flanked by second-team All-Area senior Mikki Nielsen at outside hitter. The Indians also return multisport standout Destiny Harris at middle blocker and Eastern Oregon University signee Austen Kalivas as a defensive specialist. “With their maturity and everything they’ve had to do and grow and that experience of playing makes them a smarter player,” Indians coach Jasmine Corsetti said. “I think it’ll be good for us.”

BLACKFOOT BRONCOS

Head coach: Alisha Nebeker, first season

2016 results: Eliminated in district tournament.

Key returners: DS/L Hailey Pearson, Sr.; DS/L Brenna Johnson, Sr.

Key losses: Unknown.

Outlook: The Broncos have struggled through multiple futile seasons in a row but look to start anew with first-year coach Alisha Nebeker at the helm. Nebeker has previous experience as Blackfoot’s junior varsity coach, and coached at Mountain View Middle School last year. Nebeker leads a junior-heavy team with two seniors and said her team’s goal is to make it to the 4A state tournament. “They really want it,” Nebeker said. “They’ve expressed to me their interest in doing that. We’re on the same page there.”

PRESTON INDIANS

2016 results: Eliminated in district tournament.

Outlook: Preston climbed up to the No. 3 seed for last year’s 4A District 5-6 tournament and was one match away from playing for a spot at the state tournament. Conference frontrunners Idaho Falls and Century both have new coaches, possibly opening the door for a new team to enter the fold atop the standings.

AMERICAN FALLS BEAVERS

Head coach: Jami Adair, first season

2016 results: Eliminated in district tournament.

Key returners: MB Jessica Smith, Jr.; OH Kodee Swearingen, Jr.

Key losses: Unknown.

Outlook: First-year American Falls coach Jami Adair takes over a team with no seniors and minimal varsity experience, as the Beavers graduated seven seniors from last year’s team. Adair coached at American Falls about 10 years ago and said she is back to provide longterm stability for a program that desperately needs it. “We’re just trying to build this program and get it to where I know it can be,” Adair said. “That’s one nice thing about having such a young team. — you can bring them up in your own system.”

MARSH VALLEY EAGLES

Head coach: Deanna Ketner, third season

2016 results: Eliminated in district tournament.

Key returners: MB Emma Sutton, Sr.; MB Taya Batts, Sr.; L Macy Redford, Sr.

Key losses: Rylee Belnap, Hope Dunn.

Outlook: Marsh Valley was the only 3A District 5 team to beat longtime conference frontrunner Snake River last season, a sign the Eagles are headed in the right direction. Marsh Valley returns honorable mention All-Area middle blocker Emma Sutton, who coach Deanna Ketner said may spot up at outside hitter this season. “I have a couple younger players I’m bringing up and hoping they’ll step up and do what I’m expecting them to do,” Ketner said. “I think we’re going to be pretty solid team.”

SNAKE RIVER PANTHERS

Head coach: Shaunee Martin, third season

2016 results: 0-2 at 3A state tournament.

Key returners: Unavailable.

Key losses: Maysa Gilbert, Sarah Reece, Ellie Chidester.

Outlook: Though Snake River lost some valuable veterans from last year’s state tournament team, coach Shaunee Martin has seven seniors on this year’s squad. The Panthers are a steady presence at the 3A state tournament and look to continue their reign over the rest of 3A District 5. “Might be a couple weeks before we get the flow figured out,” Martin said. “Girls changing positions, girls accepting roles. I’ve been super pleased with them and their attitudes and how they’ve been working together. It’s going to be a team effort. Lots of talent.”

ABERDEEN TIGERS

Head coach: George Hamilton, first season

2016 results: Eliminated in district tournament.

Key returners: OH Destanie Ponce, Sr.; OH Kawehi Beck, Jr.

Key losses: Makenna Schritter, Isabelle Beck, Baylee Wahlen.

Outlook: Aberdeen graduated six seniors and rebuilds with a new head coach, George Hamilton. Hamilton has coached at various programs ranging from high school to college and the USA national team. Hamilton is a Highland High School alumnus and has coached at Idaho State and BYU. His squad is young, but Hamilton is working on molding the players into his own. “From the athleticism, I’m exited about this year,” Hamilton said. “They’re picking up on everything extremely fast. Really progressing super fast right now.”

BEAR LAKE BEARS

2016 results: Eliminated in district tournament.

Outlook: Bear Lake upset Aberdeen early the 2A District 5 tournament last year, but still fell well short of a state tournament berth. The Bears look to improve upon their 2-6 conference record in a league that has no easy opponents.

MALAD DRAGONS

Head coach: Camie Tripp, 11th season

2016 results: 2A state runner-up.

Key returners: OH Britlynn Hubbard, Jr.; RH Halli Hannah, Jr.; S Bayla Tripp, So.

Key losses: Hanah Peterson, Emmah Peterson, Sami Williams.

Outlook: Malad is in an unfamiliar place. For the first time in years, longtime coach Camie Tripp has a youthful squad, with players looking to carve out their own legacies after watching upperclassmen before them reach the peak — a pair of 2A state championships. The Dragons graduated first-team All-Area selections Emmah and Hanah Peterson, as well as second-team middle blocker Sami Williams from last year’s 2A state runner-up team. Tripp is confident her younger players will take what they’ve learned from their departed teammates with them onto the court. “They’ve seen it done,” Tripp said. “We have tradition working in our favor. They know what it takes to be a championship team.”

SODA SPRINGS CARDINALS

Head coach: Shawnae Somsen, third season

2016 results: Eliminated in district tournament.

Key returners: L Haley Ledbetter, Sr.; OH Katie Sims, Jr.

Key losses: Lexi Patterson.

Outlook: Soda Springs was a win away from playing Malad for the 2A District 5 championship last season. The Cardinals enter 2017 with a mix of returners and newcomers and have a common goal of taking that final step and qualifying for the 2A state tournament. “That’s an ultimate goal that we have,” coach Shawnae Somsen said. “Time for volleyball to make its mark.”

WEST SIDE PIRATES

Head coach: Jeri O’Brien, sixth season

2016 results: 0-2 at 2A state tournament.

Key returners: S Allie Jensen, Sr.; OH Cierra Headworth, Sr.; RH Joce Mejia, Sr.; MB Mauri Wade, Jr.

Key losses: Lindsey Pulsipher.

Outlook: West Side made the 2A state tournament for the third straight time last year, but was bounced without a win. The Pirates expect to get back to state with four returning starters and capable players filling in for departed starters. “I have pretty high expectations,” coach Jeri O’Brien said. “We don’t have a lot of height. We’re quick. We’ve got a pretty varied offense. We don’t just have one player someone can key in on.”

GRACE GRIZZLIES

Head coach: Heidi Stoddard, fourth season

2016 results: Eliminated in district tournament.

Key returners: S Shelby Stoddard, Sr.; L Brenna Mathews, Sr.; MH Braylee Wood, Sr.; OH Shae Donaldson, Sr.

Key losses: Jenessa Rigby.

Outlook: Grace’s 2016 season ended in disappointment, one win short of the 1A state tournament. The Grizzlies went 2-0 against conference foe Challis in the regular season, but lost to the Vikings in the 1A DI District 5-6 tournament, when it mattered most. Fourth-year coach Heidi Stoddard said her 2017 squad has state championship potential. “Since I have so many returning seniors and it’s their last shot, they’re determined and confident and great leaders,” Stoddard said. “Chemistry is phenomenal. ... I have high hopes for this team.”

NORTH GEM COWBOYS

Head coach: Becky Neese, first season

2016 results: Eliminated in district tournament.

Outlook: Becky Neese takes over as North Gem’s head coach, replacing Ralph Peterson, who retired. Neese inherits a program that has struggled to win matches the last few seasons and hasn’t made the 1A DII state tournament since taking second in 2010.

ROCKLAND BULLDOGS

Head coach: Samantha Lowder, third season

2016 results: Eliminated in district tournament.

Key returners: MB Riley Jensen, Sr.; OH Aly Lish, So.; OH Charlotte Wilson, So.; S Madalyn Permann, So.

Key losses: Kariena Turnbeaugh, Brook Freeman, Sadie Parish.

Outlook: Like North Gem, Rockland plays in the highly competitive 1A DII District 5-6, which houses last year’s second- and third-place teams at the state tournament (Butte County, Watersprings). The Bulldogs graduated five seniors and are led by a talented sophomore class. “I really expect our team to do well,” coach Samantha Lowder said. “We have a pretty deep, pretty solid bench. They are a really cohesive unit. Scrappy.”

SHO-BAN CHIEFS

Head coach: Carlita Rodriguez, first season

2016 results: Eliminated in district tournament.