Vball sectional previews
The 49th annual IHSAA volleyball state tournament begins this week with sectionals taking place at 64 sites statewide in four enrollment classifications. The combination of a good draw, with good teams, has set up area teams to be a major player in deciding the sectional winner in all four classes. Here is a quick rundown of what local squads have in front of them.
CLASS 4A
Plymouth drew a bye at Sectional 3 to be held at Michigan City HS and most likely will play the host Lady Wolves in the second semifinal. After losing the first game, the Lady Pilgrims defeated Michigan City, 2-1, at a tournament during the regular season.
If Plymouth (21-10) reaches the final, the likely opponent is defending sectional champ and seventh-ranked Laporte (24-2). The Lady Slicers defeated the Lady Pilgrims, 3-0, in the first match of the season, but both teams have improved since.
The sectional winner heads to the Laporte Regional Oct. 24.
CLASS 3A
Glenn received the best draw possible in Sectional 19 to be held at New Prairie HS. The Lady Falcons not only received the bye into the semifinals, but their opponent will be either SB Clay or SB Washington, both winless. Not only are the two South Bend schools winless, but
neither has won a set. Glenn’s reward though, should be a finals meeting with reigning sectional champ New Prairie. The Lady Cougars (20-5) are ranked No. 7 and have reached the semi-state the past two years. NP would have to get past Mishawaka Marian and SB St. Joseph to reach the finals, but they are 8-0 in sets this season against the historically strong programs.
Culver Girls Academy will play in Sectional 18 at Hanover Central HS. The Lady Eagles (14-6) received the bye and will be favored when they face the winner of the Wheeler-knox match in the first semifinal. The other finalist is likely Kankakee Valley (15-10).
Sectional 18 and 19 winners move to the Hanover Central Regional Oct. 24.
CLASS 2A
Bremen and Laville are part of a balanced five-team field for Sectional 35 hosted by Bremen HS. The Lady Lions will get things going with the lone match on Thursday, Oct. 15, against South Central (Union Mills). Although SC’S record is much better than Bremen’s, this should be a very competitive match. The winner faces Westville in the second semifinal and will be heavily favored.
Laville received a bye so a win against Rochester in the Saturday morning semi puts the Lady Lancers in the championship game. The match with the Lady Zebras could be the best of the whole sectional. Although they have not faced each other, both teams are over .500 and have played two common opponents - Winamac (LV won 3-0, Rochester won 3-1) and Pioneer (LV lost 3-0 but had a 27-25 game, Rochester lost 3-1 with a 25-23 set win).
The sectional winner advances to the Laville Regional Oct. 24.
CLASS 1A
Sectional 50 has been moved to Triton HS since OregonDavis is dealing with COVID issues. Argos, Culver, O-D and the Lady Trojans are part of the six-team field. Triton is the defending sectional champ and is the heavy favorite. The most competitive match of the entire section could be the Culver vs. O-D in the late match Thursday night. During the regular season meeting, the Lady Cavaliers lost the first set, 25-16, then came back to win 25-21 and 18-16 in the third. Don’t be surprised if the sectional meeting goes five sets and deep into the night.
The sectional winner will play in the Culver Regional Oct. 24.