RAPID CITY – When the combined State Volleyball Tournament kicks off today at The Monument in Rapid City, it figures to be a three-day dogfight to determine the next Class B state champion.

From the opening serve this past fall there has been a different feel to the Class B ranks. There is no longer one or two dominant teams competing for the state title.

“I think it’s anybody’s game. I don’t know if you can really pick anybody,” said Warner coach Kari Jung who’s team enters as the second seed in the tourney. “I think it’s all going to depend on who is having a good day and who can put their game together. It’s going to be a tough one.”

Aberdeen Christian is making its first ever appearance in the state tourney. The Knights eliminated last year’s champion Northwestern in regional play.

“Class B is crazy this year,” said Knights coach Maggie Jett. “There are new teams at state this year as well as some teams that aren’t there that I think could’ve easily been there. I really think it’s up for grabs. There isn’t a weak team in the final eight.”

Platte-Geddes enter the tourney as the top seed. Arlington is seeded third, Chester Area is seeded fourth, and Colman-Egan (coached by former Aberdeen Roncalli player Abigail Dockter) is seeded fifth.

Faulkton is the sixth seed and Trojans coach Mallory Schlechter sees a wide-open field as well.

“I think there’s a lot of really good teams in this tournament. I really think it could be anyone’s game,” Schlechter said. “I think every team has its strengths and every team has its weaknesses. It Just depends on the day. I just think it’s very evenly matched. I think it will be exciting and a lot of fun to watch.

Opening round pairings today have Platte-Geddes vs. Burke at noon, Chester Area vs. Colman-Egan at 1:45 p.m., Warner vs. Aberdeen Christian at 6, and Arlington vs. Faulkton at 7:45 p.m. (All times are Mountain Standard Time)

Interestingly enough, three teams from the Lake Region Conference (Christian, Faulkton and Warner) are all in the same half of the draw.

This marks the fourth straight year that three teams from the LRC are in the state tourney.

“I think it says a lot for our conference and our portion of the state,” Schlechter said. “I think that speaks pretty big volume to the kind of talent we have and what we’re doing for volleyball up here.”