STATE BOUND

WORLAND – This weekend, Wyoming high school volleyball will take place on its grandest stage – the Wyoming State High School Volleyball Championships at the Casper Events Center.

Today, 32 total teams scattered all across Wyoming will converge in Casper. By Saturday, only four will be left standing – seeing all of their hard work pay off for the ultimate prize.

The Lady Warriors will be one of those 32 teams in the field and among the eight from Wyoming's 3A classification, entering as the No. 2 seed from the 3A Northeast. Waiting for them in the first round is Powell, the No. 3 seed from the 3A West.

Worland and Powell have only met once this season, with the former defeating the latter in four games back on Sept. 24. While that win does give Worland some added confidence going in, Worland volleyball coach Brittany Miller and her team know Powell is a team used to and comfortable playing at the Events Center.

Mostly by experience, as the Lady Panthers were the ones to eliminate the Lady Warriors at last year's state tournament in the consolation semifinals before going on to capture third place.

"Powell's going to come working hard ... a few of their players have a lot of experience. But I also think we're in their heads from beating them earlier (this season)," said Miller ahead of Thursday's first-round match against Powell. "State is a battle of who wants it the most and I really feel like in 3A that state title is up for grabs. Everyone in 3A knows that so they're going to come and they're going to work hard and not back down – we're going to have to do the same."

Worland's not short of players with state tournament either, though. A number of players return as varsity members from last year's team that made its first state tournament appearance since 2008.

While they may have entered wide eyed and inexperienced last year, they enter this year's culminating event exuding confidence. And Miller is going to rely on them to guide the others and help bring them up to pace.

"I told the girls who have been there that their experience is going to be really important stepping on the court for the first match," she said.

Unlike most years, there isn't a clear-cut hierarchy of teams expected to win in 3A. All eight teams in the field are vying for the title.

And anyone of them can take it home.

"I really feel like anything can happen," said Miller.

Worland has more than enough talent to make a run for the championship plaque. It's shown off and on throughout the season.

Now it's time to put it all together for one last weekend.

For three more matches.

And it starts today against Powell at 4:30 p.m.