SALT LAKE CITY - Now comes the chance to put it right.

The College of Southern Idaho volleyball team enters today's Region 18 Tournament, staring down the barrel of the exact situation that saw it eliminated in the semifinals of last year's tournament. Should the Golden Eagles beat Colorado Northwestern Community College as expected this morning, they will face North Idaho College later with a finals berth on the line.

The same team eliminated CSI last season in the semifinals on the same floor the teams will likely face off on this afternoon.

"There's nothing quite like payback, and we feel we have some unresolved business," CSI coach Heidi Cartisser said of North Idaho, which has won three straight against CSI and five of the last seven. "We definitely feel like we owe them."

Both finalists have the chance to quality for nationals. The semifinalists go home with their seasons over. That is what CSI suffered last season at the hands of NIC, which ended up winning the conference as the No. 3 seed - the same seed CSI holds this time around.

The chief difference is that the Golden Eagles, if they advance, will play with a game under their belt. That's a chance to get out the jitters, Cartisser said, and come into a potential match with NIC with full focus.

Cartisser stressed the word "potential."

"We've obviously learned our lesson that we can't look past anyone, and we'll be prepared to play Colorado," she said.

For six sophomores, today might mark the final time they put on the CSI uniform. They believe it won't be the case and point to two big reasons why.

"We have way more teamwork this season," said sophomore middle hitter Torrey Hulsey. "I think there's a lot of chemistry with the team and with the setter, which is really important (for hitters). I think me and (setter Barbara Alcantara) connect really well."

Three of the top six-ranked teams in the nation will feature in the tournament. It's an unfortunate byproduct of being arguably the best conference in the country.

"It's great because you get great competition, and it's a psychological grind," Cartisser said. "But on the other hand you've got one or two great teams that aren't going to make it to nationals. That's sad."