By RANDY GONZALES

rgonzales@dailynews.net

Both Hoxie and Weskan are somewhat of surprise teams to make the Class 1A State Championships.

Neither prep volleyball team is ranked. And neither squad had a top seed at last weekend's sub-state.

Both teams made state last year, but were hit hard by graduation.

But here they are, ready for Friday's pool play at Gross Memorial Coliseum. No. 8 seed Hoxie (21-15) has the most losses in the eight-team field and will play No. 1 seed Hutchinson-Central Christian (39-2) at 8:30 a.m. Seventh-seeded Weskan (33-10), the only other team at A with double-digit losses, will play No. 2 seed LeRoy-Southern Coffey County, also at 8:30 a.m.

Hoxie lost eight seniors off last year's team that didn't make it out of pool play, and started this season with just one returning senior.

"We started out the beginning of the year going 0-5," said Hoxie head coach Christy Juenemann, who was an assistant last year. "After the Gove County Classic, we finally clicked. We've been improving ever since. We happened to peak at the right time."

Weskan lost three seniors off last year's squad that didn't get out of pool play at state.

"This year was definitely rebuilding," Weskan coach Shelly Cox said.

Hoxie knocked off fifth-ranked and top seed Sharon Springs in three games in the finals of its sub-state, while Weskan, a sixth seed, also needed three games to beat Wheatland-Grinnell in the championship match of its sub-state.

"I wouldn't say it was the best they ever played, but we played very well," at sub-state, Juenemann said. "For about two weeks, we peaked at the right time."

Weskan had the bull's-eye on its back as the No. 1 seed at last year's season finale.

"Last year, there was a lot of pressure; we were undefeated," Cox said. "We're going in maybe a little bit of an underdog."

Cox has had to work on the team's psyche this season.

"Getting them to believe it and have confidence in themselves was a big goal," Cox said. "Everybody kinds of understands their roles now, bought into it."

The early start Friday is something the players will have to deal with, as well as getting over any nerves.

"Not having jitters, that's the big thing at state," Cox said. "Our pool is 7:30 Mountain, but it's early for everybody."

Weskan is led by senior outside hitter Payton Walker, a four-year starter who leads the team in kills and digs.

"She's just solid all the way around," Cox said.

The Coyotes also rely on junior middle hitter and setter Hillary McKinney and sophomore outside hitter Jeri Mote. Then there is junior outside hitter and defensive specialist Brynne Hale.

"She's kind of our backbone," Cox said of Hale.

Hoxie has two players on the team who were at state last year -- senior outside hitter Carman Hill, who leads the team in kills, and junior outside hitter ShayLinn Kaus, who tops the Indians in digs.

Assist leaders are sophomore setters Mackenzie Mense and Shelby Heim.

The Indians also have freshman outside hitter Danel Stithim.

"She's been playing really well," Juenemann said of Stithim.

Hoxie wins with defense, Juenemann said.

"Carman and Shay can hit well," Juenemann said. "The rest of the team aren't as strong hitters.

"I said it was our goal to be the best defensive team we possibly can be," she added.

Both coaches are thrilled to have their teams in Hays this weekend.

"First of all, happy to be there," Cox said. "Just excited to go; just don't play tight."

"I'm still truly in awe and shock," Juenemann said.

"At the beginning of the season, I was worried about having a winning record."