The sectionals begin for volleyball this Thursday night with games being played at 5 and 7PM. Division 1 has some big time matchups, but the five spotlighted in this article all belong to Division 2 and below. Thursday is a huge night for volleyball as it sets up the Sectional Championship games on Saturday night!
Division 2 – Sectional 1
West Salem vs. Platteville
With just the #2, #4, #5, and #6 seeds remaining in Sectional 1, anything can happen. West Salem hasn’t lost a set so far in the tournament. They sent #1 Dodgeville packing in straight sets, even though sets 2 and 3 were very close (25-23). Earlier foes for West Salem were #12 Black River Falls and #4 Richland Central. Now, West Salem is able to host #6 Platteville. Platteville dropped their first set of the tournament against #2 River Valley, 18-25. They held a 2-0 lead at the time and never looked back, winning the next set 25-23 to punch their ticket to the sectionals. On paper, West Salem has a better record. Overall, they sit at 22-7 while Platteville comes in at 23-16. Will all of those extra non-conference tournaments and games played pay off in the first round of the sectionals?
Division 2 – Sectional 4
Port Washington vs. Pewaukee
#3 Catholic Memorial dominated their first two opponents (25-3, 25-8, 25-5, 25-5, 25-10, and 25-19) before going down to #2 Pewaukee. While the #2 seed taking down the #3 is never an upset, many were ready to count out Pewaukee. Now, they’re forced to play the team who just took down #1 Kettle Moraine Lutheran. #4 Port Washington is an astonishing 30-10 on the season as they head to play #2 Pewaukee who sits at 25-15.
Division 3 – Sectional 3
Randolph vs. Waterloo
Division 2 lost four #1 seeds at the Regional Finals, but for the first time in the tournament we have two one seeds playing one another. Both teams have lost just six games on the season. Randolph had to fight through four tight sets with #3 Laconia while Waterloo survived a five set battle against #2 Horicon. Horicon is the site to host this big-time matchup which very well could be the best of the tournament come Thursday night.
Division 4 – Sectional 1
McDonell Central Catholic vs. Turtle Lake
Turtle Lake has had to defeat #3 Thorp and #2 Clayton to punch their ticket to the Sectionals. They’re stuck playing at #1 McDonell Central Catholic, but who’s to say they can’t take down the #1 seed as well? They just beat #2 Clayton in straight sets and might be able to take advantage of a very slow starting team. In McDonell Central Catholic’s first two games of the tournament, they won set one 25-23 and 26-24. If Turtle Lake can take an early lead like they did against the #2 and #3 seeds, who knows what could happen! Can a 16-16 squad take down the #1 seed?
Division 4 – Sectional 3
Plum City/Elmwood vs. Wonewoc-Center
#1 Plum City/Elmwood had to fight their way through a five set battle against #2 Alma Center Lincoln. Wonewoc-Center had a slightly easier road as #3 Royall beat #2 Hillsboro. Wonewoc-Center took down Royall in straight sets: 25-20, 25-20, and 27-15. Keep in mind, they did slip up in the previous game and dropped a set to #4 La Farge/Youth Initiative. Plum City/Elmwood’s record sits at 23-14, and those 14 losses really stand out when you see Wonewoc-Center is a beautiful 19-3. This one could come down to experience as Plum City/Elmwood has more wins on the season than Wonewoc-Center has games played. Also, you can throw home court advantage out the window as this game will be played at Black River Falls.
Stay tuned to our website as we’ll post the biggest upsets and results from Thursday night’s sectionals!
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