Class 1A, 2A, 3A and 4A high school volleyball teams will meet today and Saturday at Redbird Arena for the state volleyball tournament.

Class 1A

Today

Match 1 - 9:30 a.m. - Toledo Cumberland (28-3) vs. Lanark Eastland (37-3)

Match 2 - 10:30 a.m. - Sciota West Prairie (32-8) vs. Ashland A-C Central (33-7)

Saturday

Match 3 - 9:30 a.m. - Losers matches 1 and 2 (third place)

Match 4 - 10:30 a.m. - Winners matches 1 and 2 (championship)

FYI: Lanark Eastland, which suffered one of its three losses to Sciota West Prairie, placed fourth in its only previous state trip in 2003. West Prairie's only previous state berth came in 2006 when it lost to Flanagan in the quarterfinals. West Prairie coach Teri Paul, who won four state trophies at Colchester, has a 667-286-2 record in 27 years. West Prairie handed first-time state qualifier A-C Central a 25-22, 25-23 loss at Mount Pulaski Sept. 19. Toledo Cumberland is making its state tournament debut.

Class 2A

Today

Match 1 - 11:30 a.m. - Princeton (28-9-2) vs. Tolono Unity (26-12)

Match 2 - 12:30 p.m. - Elgin St. Edward (23-17) vs. Freeburg (34-5)

Saturday

Match 3 - 11:45 a.m. - Losers matches 1 and 2 (third place)

Match 4 - 12:45 p.m. - Winners matches 1 and 2 (championship)

FYI: Four-time trophy winner Freeburg, the 1979 and 1982 Class A champion, is led by Syracuse-recruit Andrea Bolt, a 5-3 libero. If this title goes to St. Edward, it would break the record for most losses by a champion set last year by Mount Pulaski (27-14) in 1A. St. Edward, which placed fourth in 2004, is led by Loyola-recruit Kristen Haggenjos. Princeton, which won a Class A title in 1990, is making its fourth state appearance. Three-time trophy winner Tolono Unity, which has no one taller than 5-9, is making its seventh state trip.

Class 3A

Today

Match 1 - 4:30 p.m. - Burlington Central (34-6) vs. Chicago Payton (37-1)

Match 2 - 5:30 p.m. - Breese Mater Dei (35-5) vs. Joliet Catholic (37-3)

Saturday

Match 3 - 4:30 p.m. - Losers matches 1 and 2 (third place)

Match 4 - 5:30 p.m. - Winners matches 1 and 2 (championship)

FYI: Joliet Catholic is ranked 21st nationally by PrepVolleyball.com. Joliet Catholic, the 2003 Class AA champion, gets 35 percent of its kills (410) from Annemarie Hickey. Breese Mater Dei coach Fred Rakers, who is 936-185-7 in 32 years, has won five Class A titles. Burlington Central, which is making its state debut, is led by Northern Iowa recruit Molly Turk, a 5-10 setter with 692 assists and 230 kills. Chicago Payton, named in honor of late Chicago Bears great Walter Payton, is also making its state debut.

Class 4A

Today

Match 1 - 6:30 p.m. - Evanston (30-10) vs. St. Charles East (36-4)

Match 2 - 7:30 p.m. - Lisle Benet (39-1) vs. Chicago Mother McAuley (38-2)

Saturday

Match 3 - 6:45 p.m. - Losers matches 1 and 2 (third place)

Match 4 - 7:45 p.m. - Winners matches 1 and 2 (championship)

FYI: The most eagerly anticipated semifinal of the day pits No. 8-nationally ranked Mother McAuley against No. 9 Benet. The only loss for Benet, a first-time state qualifier, came against Joliet Catholic. McAuley has won a record 13 state titles, but none since 2004. The Mighty Macs' four Division I recruits include 6-1 Kelly Griffin (Western Michigan). Benet has six Division I recruits including Illinois signee Jessica Jendryk, a 6-1 middle. St. Charles East, which won the 2001 AA title, is led by Syracuse recruit Laura Homann, a 5-10 setter with 1,041 assists, the 10th most in state history. Evanston is making its state debut. The only returnees from last year's state tournament regardless of class are McAuley (second) and St. Charles East (third).

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