Area fans hoping to take in some top-flight volleyball this playoff season need only look at the recently released Section 6 playoff schedule for Class C and D.
Randolph (14-5), the defending Section 6 champion, earned the top seed in Class D-1, and will open up postseason play in the semifinals by hosting either No. 5 Holland or rival Cattaraugus-Little Valley on Nov. 1 at 6 p.m.
The Lady Red Cardinals, who have bested the Lady Timberwolves (11-7) in each of their two meetings this season, are looking to capture their fourth state title in seven years.
Article Photos
Ellicottville’s Janae Hamilton has helped the Lady Eagles to an unbeaten regular season.
P-J photo by Rob Tucker
In addition to contending with Cattaraugus-Little Valley, Randolph will also need to get by undefeated Division 3 champion Chautauqua Lake, which as a two seed will host Westfield in the quarterfinals. Then, if the Lady Thunderbirds continue their season-long win streak, they will face either No. 3 Portville or No. 6 Silver Creek in the semifinals on Nov. 1.
The biggest test for both of those squads, however, lies in wait as the No. 1 seed in Class D-2: Ellicottville.
After reaching the Section 6 finals - only to lose to Randolph - the Lady Eagles have been on a roll this season and, following their three-game sweep of the Lady Cardinals on Monday, finished the year a perfect 18-0.
Ellicottville, with virtually the entire team intact from a season ago, went a combined 6-0 against Randolph, North Collins (No. 2 seed in Class D-2) and Cattaraugus-Little Valley this season - making them the favorites to take the sectional title.
In Class C, meanwhile, fourth-seeded Falconer will host No. 13 Roy-Hart in the prequarterfinals on Thursday at 6 p.m. Southwestern, a nine seed, travels to No. 8 Akron and No. 12 Cassadaga Valley will make the trip to No. 3 Eden.
City Honors is the top seed in the class and will host, if Southwestern can get by Akron, the Lady Trojans on Oct. 30 in the quarterfinals.
Finally, in Class AA, one win over No. 2 Frontier would put No. 7 Jamestown in the semifinals against either Lockport or Clarence.
The Red Raiders' postseason begins on Oct. 30.
NON-LEAGUE
SOUTHWESTERN TRIMS CVCS
Southwestern swept non-league foe Cassadaga Valley, 25-23, 25-17, 25-17, to end its season on a winning note on Tuesday.
Led by Kara Schutte's seven aces, 17 assists, four kills and 11 digs, Taylor Brecht's four aces, six kills and seven digs, and Jackie Gullotti's three aces, five kills and five digs, the Lady Trojans finished with a 13-5 overall record.
For Cassadaga Valley (5-11), Shawana Miller recorded nine kills and a block, Kylee Braymiller an ace and three kills, and Mya Sischo an ace and 14 assists.
C-LV PREVAILS
CATTARAUGUS - Shelly Bach connected for 23 kills and five blocks to help Cattaraugus-Little Valley (11-7) edge Gowanda, 23-25, 25-21, 22-25, 25-14, 25-19.
Along with Bach, Ashlee Harvey had eight kills and five blocks, Ally Opferbeck four kills and 10 digs, and erin McGlew 21 digs.
Jenn Stebbins led Gowanda with six kills, two aces and seven digs. Alexa Farmer chipped in with three kills, five aces and six digs, and C.J. Sawatis added 12 assists, two kills and three digs.