Post-Season Showdowns: Regional Final Matches in 3A to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Following the finish of their regular season schedules, 145 high school volleyball programs have been scheduled for their playoff appearances in the Class 3A bracket. At this point, less than half of those teams who made it into the playoff brackets are still standing, with only 64 teams competing tonight Thursday in regional championship matches. While the intention is to prolong your season as much as possible, only 32 teams will come out on top after each match today and begin preparation for their sectional matches. Here are the top 3 regional championship matches in Class 3A to keep an eye on this Thursday:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>St. Francis</em> hosts <em>Burlington Central</em> Thursday 10/27 at 6:00 pm</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Francis is looking to defend their home court tonight in a win against Burlington Central High School in their regional championship. This match-up looks very familiar from last season's regional final for both teams. Last season, at Central, the two teams battled it out with St. Francis ending up as the regional champions, so we can expect Central to come back fighting over their season-ending early last year. Addison Horner, a sophomore setter and opposite hitter, has been leading St. Francis in their offense hitting at the high efficiency of 0.386 on the season, with 235 kills. As a front-row attacker herself, she also takes control of the team's offensive production with her 279 assists this season. Her height helps her take control of her front-row offense as well as defense, with the great block she puts up against other opponents. On the season so far, Horner has 17 solo blocks which are tied for the highest on the team with 6'5" middle blocker, [player_tooltip player_id='138652' first='Jessica' last='Schmidt']. Schmidt is committed to Bellarmine University where she will continue her athletic and academic career, but not before she finishes a strong this last season at St. Francis. Burlington Central has a big weapon in their front row as well, with sophomore Leah Freesemann, an outside hitter, taking the reigns for offensive production. Freesemann is a 6'2" attacker who moves fluid with her athleticism on the court. Last week, Leah put away 15 kills in a three-set win over McHenry High School, averaging 5 kills in each set. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Crystal Lake South</em> hosts <em>Prairie Ridge High School</em> Thursday 10/27 at 6:00 pm</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a very young team, Crystal Lake South has managed to make a name for itself finishing second in the conference behind Huntley High school who went undefeated in their conference play. Taking on a huge role on varsity this season, Mia Ginter is a sophomore libero who has racked up 338 digs on the season, with her great range of court coverage. Holding her confidence in the back row and constantly giving that energy to her teammates, she has done a great job for Crystal Lake South this season in both her leadership and play. Another difference maker comes from an underclassman who did not shy away from the opportunity to run South's offense. Gabrielle (Gabbie) Anderson, a sophomore setter and has 477 assists on the season. As a 5'10" setter, she has a great neutral finish with her sets that make her a very difficult setter to read even though she may be young. Her connection with 5'11" sophomore middle blocker, Siena Smiejek can be a big problem that other opponents who are up against Smiejek's quick arm swing which has led her to the highest hitting efficiency on the team, hitting 0.330 on the season. While her offense is a great piece of her play, her blocking and eyes in front-row defense have also led her to gain 57 blocks this season. Lastly, the senior who is going to leave it all on the court during playoffs is outside hitter Bree Hubacher, who has added 183 kills on the season. Her versatility is seen in each of her statistical categories, however, her serving efficiency is a huge part of their success, tallying 44 aces on the season. Crystal Lake South and Prairie Ridge will be a great match-up and is one you won't was to miss. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Morris High School</em> hosts <em>Marian Catholic</em> Thursday 10/27 at 6:00 pm</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Morris has only dropped 7 of their 36 matches this season and is on the route to going much further into playoffs in this 2022 season. Tuesday night was a big night for Morris, while the win was exciting, Junior setter and opposite hitter, Haylee Dunne made her way to being the 4th place for aces in a match in all-time of the IHSA. Dunne racked up 18 aces in the one match alone, adding to her season-high, now a total of 57 aces. Haylee has also contributed 445 assists on the season showing how well she runs the court and offense. Senior middle blocker, Hannah Lauterbach, is hitting at an efficiency of 0.276 on the season with 122 kills. Lauterbach is committed to playing volleyball at Missouri Southern State University following her senior year. Two other seniors, [player_tooltip player_id='542355' first='Natalie' last='Lawton'] a versatile outside hitter, and Kayla Jepson, a quick libero are a force to be reckoned with in the backcourt. Kayla Jepson has contributed 314 digs to her full-season stats and has the great vision and fast defensive moves to continue adding to that high number against Marian Catholic Tonight. [player_tooltip player_id='542355' first='Natalie' last='Lawton'], only 5'8", isn't a player to underestimate because of her size. In the back row, she makes efficient and quality defensive plays that keep Morris in a long rally. Lawton has added 233 digs on the season, but also in the front row is leading in kills on the season. At this point, following their regional semi-final match Tuesday night, Natalie is the highest on the team for kills on the season, putting away 281 kills at an efficiency of 0.212.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->