COLORADO SPRINGS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (25-0, No. 1 seed)

Coach: Mike Broekhuis

Key players: Morgan Broekhuis (senior, 369 kills), Brianne Vande Griend (senior, 200 kills, 150 digs) Hannah Walker (senior, 451 assists, 55 aces)

Last state title: 2008

Key to winning: The Lions, who have won five straight titles, will rely on their wealth of state tournament experience and a stellar front-row attack.

He said it: “We put the ball away better than anyone in the state.” — Broekhuis

ST. MARY’S (22-3, No. 7 seed)

Coach: Melissa Sweeney

Key players: Christina Whitelaw (senior, 310 digs, 234 kills, 42 blocks, 21 aces), Bria Sweeney (freshman, 244 digs, 136 kills, 37 aces, 11 blocks), Sarah Tentschert (freshman, 188 digs, 172 kills, 39 blocks, 27 aces)

Last state title: 1996

Key to winning: Versatility. The Pirates’ motto has been “Lean on me” this season, and that’s just what they’ve done as four freshman starters have meshed with the upperclassmen.

She said it: “All your players have to be on the same page emotionally, mentally and physically — you have to have the whole thing.” — Sweeney

Pine Creek libero Allie Hoskins took part in practice Wednesday as the Eagles prepared for this weekend’s Class 5A state volleyball tournament in Denver. Photo by JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE