Bismarck Demons

2008 record: 28-11, second in West Region; second at West Region tournament; second at state.

Co-coaches: Lisa Krom, 11th year, 215-153-1 at BHS; 254-179-1 overall; and Jessica Anderson, first year.

Top returnees: KaSara Rudolph, 5-5, sr., S-L. Twila Moser, 5-11, sr., MH. Annie Assel, 5-10, sr., OH. Anna Hruby, 5-10, jr., OH. Emilee Vetter, 5-7, sr., L-DS.

Notes: KaSara Rudolph and Twila Moser are returning all-staters ¦ Rudolph had 898 assists, 399 digs and 48 aces last season. ¦ Moser had 281 kills and 68 blocks. … Annie Assel (266 kills), Anna Hruby and Emily Vetter are also returning starters. ¦ Joining them will be Kristen Hill and Kate Weigel. … All-stater Kaitlyn Sturlaugson was lost to graduation.

Century Patriots

2008 record: 33-5, first in West Region; first at West Region tournament; state champions.

Coach: Jeni Walsh, seventh year, 170-62.

Top returnees: Carli Peterson, 6-0, sr., H. Madi Buck, 6-0, sr., H. Erika Jossart, 5-7, sr., L. Alexis Jacobs, 6-0, so., H.

Notes: The Patriots won their first state title since 1984. … Century had three all-staters - Carli Peterson, who returns, and Hailee Walsh and Tricia Sorensen, who graduated. … Peterson and Madi Buck had 344 and 343 kills, respectively last season. Century's third 6-footer, Alexis Jacobs, contributed 179 as a freshman. ¦ Libero Erika Jossart, an all-region pick, had 800 digs and 84 aces. ¦ Markie Henry and Alicia Baumiller will see playing time as hitters, while Briana Hildebrand and Alyssa Mastel will share the setter's role. Century topped the 20-win mark for the seventh straight season.

Dickinson Midgets

2008 record: 17-19, fifth in West Region; 1-2 at West Region tournament; did not qualify for state.

Coach: Jay Schobinger, 17th year, 335-235.

Top returnees: Jess Herauf, OH. Justin Braunagel, DS. Kara Froelich, S. Madi Deibert, OH. Ashley Jahner, MH.

Notes: Dickinson has both outside hitters, Jess Herauf and Madi Deibert, back, as well as setter Kara Froelich and defensive specialist Justine Braunagel. ¦ Herauf was an all-stater as a sophomore. ¦ Ashley Jahner and Megan Michaelson will also be in the rotation.

Jamestown Blue Jays

2008 record: 14-17, fourth in West Region; 1-2 at West Region tournament; did not qualify for state.

Coach: Scott Fritz, second year, 14-17.

Top returnees: Alex Hanson, sr., MH. Kara Nygaard, sr., OH. Sam Wang, sr., S.

Mandan Braves

2008 record: 9-27, eighth in West Region; 0-2 at West Region tournament; did not qualify for state.

Coach: Jackie Wandy, third year, 29-44.

Top returnees: Brittni Winkler, sr., MH. Leanne Beechie, sr., OH. KayCee Gustafson, sr., L. Shelby Heck, jr., S. Elizabeth Meyer, so., MH.

Notes: KayCee Gustafson, who had 490 digs and 31 aces, is back at libero. ¦ Shelby Heck, who had playing time last season, will be the setter. ¦ Brittni Winkler is the top returnee up front. She had 95 kills and 21 blocks last season. … Leanne Beechie, Amber Riopelle and Taylor Miller will be the starting hitters.

Minot Majettes

2008 record: 10-25, seventh in West Region; 0-2 at West Region tournament; did not qualify for state.

Coach: Patty Luetzen-Schwarz, eighth year, 124-130.

Top returnees: Ashley Bauer, sr., H. Jayd Eggert, so., OH. Erin Kongelf, sr., L. Katelyn Larson, sr., L. Teresa Vetter, jr., MB. Lexi Colbenson, jr., S.

Notes: Minot has plenty of experience back, starting with hitters Ashley Bauer and Jayd Eggert and middle blocker Teresa Vetter. ¦ Setter Katelyn Larson and libero Erin Kongelf also return.

St. Mary's Saints

2008 record: 14-21, sixth in West Region; fourth at West Region tournament; eighth at state.

Coach: Kari Leier, third year, 24-42.

Top returnees: Taryn Bohan, sr., RH. Laura Doll, sr., OH.

Notes: Last year the Saints made it to state for the first time since 1998. … Taryn Bohan is the only returning starter from that team, but Laura Doll was a key reserve. … Newly inserted into the starting lineup will be hitters Brynn Lakosky, Ally Vecchia and Andi Taborsky. … Claire Gunderson takes over at setter.

Turtle Mountain Bravettes

2008 record: 4-16, ninth in West Region; did not qualify for West Region tournament; did not qualify for state.

Coach: Quenna Beston, second year, 4-16.

Top returnees: Mariah Marcellais, 5-8, MH. Julia Davis, 5-9, OH. Jezarae LaRocque, 5-11, MH. Moriah McCloud, 5-4, S.

Notes: The Bravettes will have experience at the net with Mariah Marcellais, Julia Davis and Jezarae LaRocque. ¦ Also expected to get a lot of playing time are Julia Davis, Bethany Lindgren, Tyriah Poitra and Ashley Kom.

Williston Coyotes

2008 record: 21-14, third in West Region; third at West Region tournament; seventh at state.

Coach: Rebecca Waitman, first year.

Top returnees: Not available.

- By Lou Babiarz