The Williston Lady Coyotes head to this week's Class A state volleyball tournament, knowing they have no pressure on their shoulders.

"We have nothing to lose," said Williston volleyball coach Rebecca Waitman. "We're pretty stroked."

The Lady Coyotes wrapped up a spot in the state tournament with a three-game sweep of Minot in a consolation match in the WDA tournament last weekend in Dickinson. And thanks to Dickinson's win over Jamestown, the Lady Coyotes will enter the tournament as the No. 3 seed from the West.

Williston will open up the 2009 tournament with a match against Fargo South at 2 p.m. Fargo South comes into state as the No. 2 seed from the East.

Other than a strong middle, Waitman says little is known about Williston's first round opponent. But the Lady Coyotes remain confident.

"If our girls play their game and do their job," Waitman said. "We will be OK."

However, she knows the Lady Coyotes know they have to show up ready to play.

"They have to play their A game," Waitman said. "They have to be on their game from the get-go."

The state tournament experience shouldn't be new to the Lady Coyotes. Ashley Slade, Taylor Owan, Laura Maleckar, Lauren Lutz and Kourtney Sundby all played key roles on the 2008 team that finished seventh at state.

And their experience should only help some of the younger members of the Williston team.

"It's huge," Waitman said. "Knowing they will have some experience."

Century won the WDA tournament last weekend and heads to state as the No. 1 seed from the West.

The Lady Patriots will face Devils Lake in Thursday's action. Bismarck, the No. 2 seed from the West, will play Fargo North.

Dickinson's match with Grand Forks Red River will close out Thursday's action at the Minot State University Dome.

Class A state tournament

at Minot

Thursday

Bismarck Century vs. Devils Lake, noon

Fargo South vs. Williston, 2 p.m.

Grand Forks Red River vs. Dickinson, 6 p.m.

Bismarck vs. Fargo North, 8 p.m.

Friday

Consolation bracket

Game 1 and 2 losers, noon

Game 3 and 4 losers, 2 pm.

Semifinals

Game 1 and 2 winners, 6 p.m.

Game 3 and 4 winners, 8 p.m.

Saturday

Seventh-place game

Consolation losers, 10 a.m.

Consolation championship

Consolation winners, noon

Third-place game

Semifinal losers, 2 p.m.

Championship

Semifinal winners, 8 p.m.