Much of the excitement in boys volleyball this year circled around the idea of just how thin the line is that separates the contenders. A parity-ridden regular season has confirmed that and the Div. 1 state tournament field has the potential to wash away the chalk.

But ironically enough, the primary team most coaches were excited to catch up to is still unbeaten.

Contenders across both divisions flooded to play top-seeded Needham (22-0) in a rigorous regular season, but the Rockets have overcome them all to increase their win streak to 68 games.

There’s no reason to believe they can’t go the distance for a third straight year, only twice allowing a team to get two set victories against it. Two-time All-Scholastic senior Raymond Weng is one of the most elite, versatile players in the state, and pairs with All-Scholastic outside hitter Ethan McCarron to lead a collection of standouts who thrive in their respective roles.

No. 2 Lowell (19-1) is on a collision course to meet the Rockets in the final as one of the few titans Needham hasn’t faced over the last couple of years, though. Its elite setting is surrounded by exceptional athleticism, which figures to give the Red Raiders the right pieces necessary to make a highly-anticipated run to their first state final.

Much of that praise can be said about the other top members of the Bay State Conference, too. The injury bug slowed No. 7 Newton North (14-6) down a bit, but the Tigers – as one of the teams to take Needham to five sets – are another final favorite when playing their best volleyball. No. 3 Natick (14-3) only lost to Needham and Newton North, proving just as dangerous. No. 11 Brookline struggled to beat those top conference rivals but played tough to stand as a serious upset threat.

Still, the path for anyone to reach the Final Four is a tricky one. No. 4 St. John’s of Shrewsbury (15-4) has a strong chance of meeting Catholic Conference foe No. 5 St. John’s Prep (11-6) in the state quarterfinals, but that’s only if they can advance past formidable Merrimack Valley Conference powers No. 12 Haverhill and No. 13 North Andover. No. 6 Acton-Boxboro (16-1) is a legit power, but doesn’t have an easy route, either.

Watch out for Middlesex League powers No. 9 Lexington and No. 10 Winchester, which are both well-coached and have upset potential. No. 8 Cambridge, No. 15 Andover, No. 16 Methuen and No. 17 Chelmsford also add to an entertaining pool of hungry teams, while No. 14 BC High, No. 18 Lincoln-Sudbury, No. 19 New Bedford, No. 22 Revere and No. 28 Malden will be tough outs.

After a trying schedule that ran through the likes of Needham, Agawam (twice), St. John’s, Newton North, Milford and Wayland, top-seeded Westfield (19-2) looks like the team to beat again in Div. 2. Nick Maslar is as powerful as they come within a well-balanced group, and Westfield – in search of a fourth state title in five seasons – would even be a strong contender in the Div. 1 field.

While it doesn’t need to pay attention to Needham anymore, there’s still plenty left on the Bombers’ plate. No. 2 Agawam (17-2) creeps around the corner as the only other team to beat Westfield this season, and both matches they played went to five sets. The Brownies are fully capable of a deep run, and the two have a rare opportunity for an all-Western Mass. state final.

No. 3 North Quincy (17-3) looks to get back to the state final and has a good chance to do so with everyone back from that run, but star-studded No. 6 O’Bryant (16-4) is a major threat to nix that as early as the state quarterfinals. Junior-laden No. 4 Milford (13-6) impressively navigated the second-strongest strength of schedule in the state, and its 16-14 loss in the fifth set to Needham is a far cry from when it lost to Westfield and Agawam early in the year. But its difficult path potentially continues against a tough No. 29 Lowell Catholic (11-1), a heavy sleeper threat in No. 13 Wayland (8-12) and No. 5 West Springfield (13-5).

A stellar season from No. 9 Medfield (18-1) could ignite a deep run itself, and No. 7 Greater New Bedford (13-3) looks composed to surprise some teams should it survive No. 26 Billerica (6-14). No. 18 Bellingham is also a serious threat to No. 15 Ludlow. Otherwise, it’s a mostly Western and Central Mass. dominated field with 10 first-round matchups hosted by those teams.

DIV. 1

Champion: No. 1 Needham

Runner-up: No. 2 Lowell

Final Four: No. 1 Needham, No. 2 Lowell, No. 3 Natick, No. 5 St. John’s Prep

Sleeper: No. 10 Winchester

Best First-Round Matchup: No. 16 Methuen vs No. 17 Chelmsford

Potential Upset: No. 11 Brookline over No. 6 Acton-Boxboro

DIV. 2

Champion: No. 4 Milford

Runner-Up: No. 3 North Quincy

Final Four: No. 1 Westfield, No. 2 Agawam, No. 3 North Quincy, No. 4 Milford

Sleeper: No. 6 O’Bryant

Best First-Round Matchup: No. 15 Ludlow vs No. 18 Bellingham

Potential Upset: No. 7 Greater New Bedford over No. 2 Agawam