Chandler attempts to defend its title this weekend at the annual Wolf Howl Invitational (AzPreps365 photo)

The majority of teams filling the 6A state tournament field in boys volleyball last year, including defending champ Boulder Creek and runner-up Chandler, are part of the 16-team field for the 17th annual Wolf Howl Invitational taking place this weekend.

The tournament is set for Friday March 2 and Saturday March 3 at Chandler High and Arizona College Prep. Pool play begins at noon Friday and runs through late afternoon. Teams regroup Saturday morning as pools are reshuffled and matches played to determine the eight-team gold bracket and four-team silver and bronze brackets in the afternoon. The title match is set for approximately 4 p.m.

Here are the pool assignments for Friday: Pool 1 - Boulder Creek, Deser Vista, Sandra Day O'Connor, Higley. Pool 2 -- Chandler, Mesa Mtn. View, Mesa, Basha. Pool 3 -- Brophy Prep, Highland, Corona del Sol, Desert Ridge. Pool 4 -- Gilbert, Perry, Red Mountain and Hamilton. Fourteen of the teams in the tournament qualified for the 6A state tournament in 2017 or the 5A state tournament. Nine of the schools reached the quarterfinals or better of their respective tournaments.

Chandler is the defending gold bracket champ. Boulder Creek, Brophy and Mesa High have also won the gold bracket in the last four years.