Thanks in part to a young lineup and a set of very tough Section 2-3A teams, Chaska did not complete a 'three-peat' of state volleyball titles last season.

But the Hawks are a year older, and, based on the first coaches' association poll, are the team to beat.

The Hawks are the No. 1-ranked team in the pre-season Class 3A poll, receiving five of the seven first-place votes.

Fellow 2-3A team and defending state champion Shakopee is No. 2. Other 2-3A squads in the poll include Waconia at No. 7 and Eden Prairie, which received votes.

The Lake Conference is very strong again, with Eastview at No. 3 with one first-place vote, Lakeville North at No. 5, Apple Valley at No. 10, followed by Burnsville.

Chaska starts the season on Aug. 26 against Prior Lake.

Southwest Christian High School of Chaska is rated seventh in the Class A poll. The Stars get the season started on Aug. 28 against Maranatha, at Crown College in St. Bonifacius.

Class 3A
Pl. Team (1st-place votes) Pts.
1. Chaska (5) 102
2. Shakopee 93
3. Eastview (1) 92
4. St. Michael-Albertville (1) 83
5. Lakeville North 77
6. Woodbury 73
7. Waconia 49
8. Wayzata 38
9. Alexandria 32
10. Apple Valley 27

Also receiving votes: Burnsville 22, Andover 17, Blaine 10, Farmington 9, Owatonna 7, Eden Prairie 6.

Class A
1. Bethlehem Academy (7) 105
2. Windom Area 94
3. Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa 75
4. Mabel-Canton 60
5. Ada-Borup 57
6. Wabasha-Kellogg 50
7. Southwest Christian (Chaska) 48
t8. Minneota 47
t8. Mayer Lutheran 47
10. Meadow Creek Christian 45
Also receiving votes: Northern Freeze 19, Martin County West 18, Win-E-Mac 16, Bertha-Hewitt 15, Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop 11, Buffalo Lake-Hector 8, Lake of the Woods 8, SW Star Concept 6, Renville County West 6, Nevis 3, Chisolm 2.