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With a trio of Montgomery County teams entering the 2008 3A West Region playoffs at 10-3, the school that will represent the region at Ritchie Coliseum on Nov. 14 is anyone's guess.

The favorite, though, has to be last year's West Region champion, Bethesda-Chevy Chase (10-3 as of Oct. 26). The Barons' only losses have come to Class 4A powers Gaithersburg and Blake and top-seeded Poolesville of Class 1A, which is undefeated.

B-CC features a host of experienced players with seven seniors, including outside hitter Rosie Eck and twin sisters Hannah and Maddy Carretero.

"I think that we will be a favorite because of our successful past," said B-CC head coach Michelle Clise. "But I think the competition will be tough. We don't play a lot of the 3A schools. We played Damascus, but the majority of the others are 4A schools and I think that gives a little bit of an advantage."

However, the Barons may be without their best hitter in Maddy Carretero, who is still recovering from a stress fracture in her foot, suffered two-and-a-half weeks ago.

"Considering the amount of injures we have had and everything we have gone through," said Clise, "we are pretty good. The plan is to have Maddy back for playoffs."

Also in the hunt is Watkins Mill (10-3). After years of beating teams they should beat, but falling short against upper echelon competition, the Wolverines have finally broken through. Senior outside hitter Kim Van Lowe leads a young squad that is filled with talent, but lean on playoff experience, with only three seniors.

"I think that if we play at the top of our game we can absolutely beat anyone on any given day," said Tyler.

Paint Branch (10-3) put one of the three blemishes on the Wolverines' record on Oct. 20. Panthers alum Nicole Shields has her best team in three years as head coach. Outside hitter Kate McGrew and setter Elaina Straub provide offense for Paint Branch.

"My team is versatile and I can put players everywhere," said Shields. They are very good at switching positions and playing hard. This is the strongest team I've had so far."

Last year's No. 1 seed, Damascus (7-6), could be a potential sleeper as the Swarmin' Hornets have shown the ability to beat top-notch teams. They defeated Gaithersburg in five games on Oct. 10 behind strong play from senior outside hitter Sam Bonturi.

Frederick County schools Urbana, Tuscarora and Frederick will fill out the rest of the bracket along with Montgomery County's Kennedy (5-8), Einstein (1-12), Seneca Valley (1-12) and Wheaton (0-13).

Check www.gazette.net/montsports for exact dates and times

First round (Oct. 31)

No. 11 Kennedy at No. 6 Urbana

No. 10 Wheaton at No. 7 Seneca Valley

No. 9 Frederick at No. 8 Einstein

Quarterfinals (Nov. 3)

Einstein or Frederick at No. 1 Paint Branch

Seneca Valley or Wheaton at No. 2

B-CC

Urbana or Kennedy at No. 3 Watkins Mill

No. 5 Tuscarora at No. 4 Damascus