State volleyball predictions

Earlier today I posted links to the Class 2A, 3A and 4A state volleyball tournaments, which take place this week in Kennewick.

Now we’ve got predictions from the state coaches association. Keep in mind these are not rankings like the ones we’ve posted weekly throughout the season. These are predictions for how the top eight teams will finish in each tourney, from first place to eighth place. Coaches based their picks on matchups in each bracket and not necessarily on which teams have more talent, said Tanya Campbell, who compiled the coaches’ predictions.

Campbell said that explains why Archbishop Murphy, which was not ranked in 2A throughout the season, is suddenly No. 1 in the state-tourney predictions. Coaches predict Murphy, the District 1 No. 3 seed, will emerge from its half of the bracket and beat North Mason Saturday night in the championship, said Campbell.

Also of note is that Monroe, the 4A District 1 champion, is predicted to advance to the 4A title match against Lewis &Clark.

Here are the complete coaches’ predictions.

Class 2A

1. Archbishop Murphy

2. North Mason

3. Burlington-Edison

4. Fife

5. Tumwater

6. Lynden

7. Selah

8. West Valley Spokane

Class 3A

1. Auburn Mountainview

2. Mercer Island

3. Sumner

4. Mt. Spokane

5. Shadle Park

6. Kennedy

7. Union

8. Eastside Catholic

Class 4A

1. Lewis &Clark

2. Monroe

3. Mead

4. Kentwood

5. Edmonds-Woodway

6. Skyview

7. Olympia

8. Rogers (Puyallup)