Jackson County Central opened the 2011 high school volleyball playoffs in Minnesota with an easy three-set victory over Luverne. The second-ranked Huskies took their Class AA, Section 3 matchup by scores of 25-11, 25-6, and 25-19. JCC will play again on Tuesday against Worthington, who advanced with a four-set defeat of Fairmont, 25-20, 16-25, 25-18, and 25-18. The Cardinals finish the fall at 12-12, having lost their last four matches. Also in that bracket, Windom swept through Pipestone Area, and St. James used just three games to eliminate New Ulm.
In Iowa, it was regional semifinal action in Classes 2A and 1A. Seventh-ranked Sheldon is into the regional final in Class 2A, Region 2, sweeping Clarion-Goldfield, 25-18, 25-18, and 25-13. The Orabs will travel to Sioux Center on Tuesday to take on the hometown Warriors, who advanced through the third round with a close, 3-1 win over Unity Christian, 25-22, 25-20, 24-26, and 25-22. Defending 2A champion Western Christian is a step away from returning to the state tournament following Friday’s three-game-to-none win over Hinton in commanding fashion. The undefeated Wolfpack won with scores of 25-16, 25-16, and 25-21, and will square off with MVAO on Tuesday in Cherokee.
The Class 1A Regional Final hosted by Okoboji high school next week will pit #4 Boyden-Hull against #13 Bishop Garrigan. The Comets eliminated Siouxland Conference rival George-Little Rock in four sets, 25-15, 23-25, 25-14, and 25-17. Bishop Garrigan took down Cornbelt Conference co-champion West Bend-Mallard, 25-16, 25-21, and 25-23. The match will be played on Tuesday.
