At a glance, the Laker Invitational looks like just another volleyball tournament.

A closer look, however, reveals one of the most competitive Class B tournaments in the state.

"It is just so much fun and the competition level is what makes it fun," said Tim Wallstrum, head coach of defending Laker Invite champion Kenmare. "The kids gain confidence and the ability to take on the district and regional tournaments at the end of the season. It is such a draining tournament. By the end you are exhausted mentally and physically, so it's a good experience for the kids."

Some coaches refer to the Laker Invite as a

mini-state tournament due to the number of talented teams it attracts.

This year's field boasts six of the eight teams that played in last season's Class B state tournament in champion Langdon, runner-up Dickinson Trinity, third-place Kenmare, fifth-place Lisbon, sixth-place Center-Stanton and seventh-place Thompson.

"You get some of the best teams from the west and some of the best teams from the east," said Linette Irwin, head coach of a Hazen team that is one of the favorites to win the tournament. "There is always some really good matches and that is what we are looking for. Our pool this year is very strong and that is a plus for us. We want to see those tough matches and getting some wins out of that will just be icing on the cake for us."

The Bison finished second to Kenmare at the Laker Invite last year and have never won the tournament. They hold a 24-3 record with losses going to a Montana team and two Class A teams. They also have arguably the state's best Class B player in Allison Opp, a 6-foot senior middle who has 1,137 career kills.

"Hazen is going to be a really tough team to beat. I wouldn't be surprised to see them win it," Wallstrum said.

Hazen won't have an easy road. The Bison play in Pool A, which includes perennial power Langdon (21-1) and upstart Central Cass (24-3).

Langdon won the Northern Cass Tournament earlier this year and is led by sophomore McKenzie Hart, who has 268 kills and 36 blocks this season.

"McKenzie can do everything that you need to do on a volleyball court. She doesn't have very many weaknesses," Langdon head coach Rich Olson said. "She is one of our primary passers, a great defender, can block and hit and can play any position if I need her to."

Central Cass, which won the Valley City Optimist Tournament, is not an easy out. The Squirrels have one of the best players in the state in senior right side hitter Madison Gegelman, who is averaging 2.9 kills per game.

"Madison is our secondary setter when we need her to be. She's an excellent passer and blocks well. She is our No. 1 kill leader and I would say in our region (1) she is the strongest and most consistent player that we have," Central Cass head coach Dana Stansbery said. "She can do it all. We have five girls that can hit and hit well on any given night, but Madison is our go-to kid."

Kenmare will have to fight through Pool C, which includes Dickinson Trinity and Thompson. Although Kenmare lost two all-state hitters last year, they return junior middle Katie King (209 kills, 31 blocks).

"It is just a great tournament with a great atmosphere. You get to see some of the best players around the state and some of the best teams that you normally wouldn't get to see," Olson said. "There is a reason why we keep coming back."

The top two teams from each pool advance to the championship bracket, while the rest go to the consolation bracket. Pool play begins at 1 p.m. today at Burlington High School and continues Saturday at Burlington and Bishop Ryan high school. Play in the championship and consolation brackets starts and ends Saturday afternoon at Burlington and Bishop Ryan.