The Kennesaw Mountain volleyball team is doing just as much preparation for the Area 5AAAAA tournament off the court as it is on the court.

The Lady Mustangs decided to climb Kennesaw Mountain earlier this week instead of drilling for two hours just to get their minds away from the sport and enjoy bonding as a team. Climbing the mountain is a tradition they do every year before playing the major tournaments that decides the fate of their season.

Kennesaw Mountain is likely the favorite to win the 5AAAAA tournament on Saturday at North Cobb High School. Ranked No. 2 in the GaSports.com Volleyball Coaches poll, the Lady Mustangs are 43-6 overall, having won 22 of their last 24 matches. They're also undefeated in area play.

"(Team bonding) always helps us get to let off steam and just relax and have fun with your team," outside hitter Sami Lane said. "This weekend, we plan to just do our best and not worry about the other teams and do what we need to do."

The Lady Mustangs, who are also led by middle blockers Lauren Hutchinson and Kristen White and libero Danielle Rieke, will open the tournament at 10 a.m. against the winner of No. 4 seed North Cobb and No. 5 Harrison. Marietta, the No. 2 seed, will play the winner of No. 3 Etowah and no. 6 Woodstock.

"We're taking it like any other match," Kennesaw Mountain coach Tonya Kern-Honea said. "Our plan is to do what we do and control what goes on on our side of the net."

Marietta and North Cobb have made strides this season and are threats to crack the top four. Etowah, which made the final four last season, is having a stellar season. Woodstock, which was seeded No. 2 in last year's area tournament, has struggled this season with a younger roster.

Hitters Telia McCall and Chelsea Herr and setter Tomoka Matsuyama have been solid for Marietta (25-13) going into the tournament, and a three-game victory over Etowah in area play helped the Lady Blue Devils secure the No. 2 seed.

North Cobb (26-18) is attempting to make the Class AAAAA state sectionals for the first time since 2001 behind the services of middle blocker Ashley Neff, who broke the school record in kills, last week, and setter Mariana Pires, who has more than 600 assists for the year going into this weekend.

"It's the basics of volleyball, if you can serve and serve-receive, we can compete with anybody," North Cobb coach James Auld said. "If you can do those two things in high school, you will be successful."

Harrison (10-29) has had a rebuilding year after losing key seniors that guided the Lady Hoyas to their first state title last season. Outside hitter Stephanie Post is their leader of kills with 220 and has 116 digs, and middle hitter Jennifer Kuroski has 41 blocks on the year. Ashley Gillam leads defensively with 119 digs.

acarrington@mdjonline.com

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