DISTRICT TIME ARRIVES FOR VOLLEYBALL

Jackson and Woodland will attempt to repeat as district champions while other area high school volleyball teams will try to break through when district tournaments are held this week.

Woodland and Jackson had the most success of last year's squads, the Lady Cardinals finishing fourth in the Class 2A state tournament and the Lady Indians winning a school-record 29 matches.

Both squads have had more success this season, topping the 20-victory plateau. Several other area teams have had strong seasons as well.

Following is a look at each district involving local teams (district winners advance to sectional competition Oct. 30):

Class 4A, District 1

(at North County)

While Jackson has had another strong season, with a 24-6-1 record, the Lady Indians are not favored to repeat as district champions.

That title goes to top-seeded Farmington, which beat the Lady Indians handily in Jackson earlier in the season.

"Farmington is very strong," said Jackson coach Nancy Ellis. "They beat us easily on our floor. I don't think we played up to our capabilities and we're hoping to get another shot at them. Hopefully we'll get there."

The second-seeded Lady Indians will likely have to beat No. 3 North County to reach the finals. Poplar Bluff is No. 4, with Sikeston No. 5 and Cape Girardeau Central No. 6. Central has a 7-18-1 record.

Action begins Tuesday as Poplar Bluff plays Sikeston at 6 p.m. and Cape Central takes on North County at 7:30. The semifinals are at 5 p.m. and 6:30 Thursday, with the finals at 8.

Class 3A, District 2

(

at Perryville)

Host Perryville is not expected to contend for a district title this year as the Lady Pirates are seeded fifth out of six teams with a 9-16-1 record.

Festus is the top seed, with St. Pius second, Park Hills Central third, Ste. Genevieve fourth and Potosi sixth.

The tournament begins Monday with Perryville playing Ste. Genevieve at 6 p.m. and Park Hills Central facing Potosi at 7:15. The semifinals are at 5 p.m. and 6:15 Tuesday, with the finals at 7:30.

Class 2A, District 2

(at Bloomfield)

Every team in this district has a losing record, which should make things wide open.

Scott City garnered the No. 1 seed at 8-11-3. Bloomfield is seeded second, followed by Chaffee, Charleston, Twin Rivers and Malden. Chaffee has a 6-14-2 mark.

"It should be wide open," said Scott City coach Barbara Ice. "We've played some very good teams this year and hopefully that will help us prepare for districts."

Play begins Monday as Charleston faces Twin Rivers at 4 p.m. and Chaffee takes on Malden at 5:15, followed by the semifinals at 6:30 and 7:45. The finals will be Wednesday at 6 p.m.

Class 2A, District 3

(at Clearwater)

Woodland, sporting a 21-5 record, is seeded first and favored to defend its district title.

Clearwater is the No. 2 seed, followed by Puxico, Ellington, Notre Dame and Greenville.

Woodland recently defeated Clearwater to earn the top seed, but Lady Cardinals' coach Emily Johnson is taking nothing for granted.

"Clearwater is good," she said. "If we play them again, we'll have to play well."

Notre Dame, which has had its moments against a tough schedule, has a 10-14-1 record.

The tourney kicks off Monday, with Notre Dame playing Ellington at 6 p.m. and Puxico battling Greenville at 7. The semifinals will be at 6 p.m. and 7 Tuesday, with the finals at 8:45.

Class 1A, District 2

(at Zalma)

Defending state champion Bernie is the No. 1 seed and heavy favorite.

Bell City is seeded second, followed by Zalma, Richland, Oran, Advance and Risco.

"Bernie is really tough, as always," said Bell City coach Carl Ritter, whose squad has a 14-11-2 record. "It'll be hard for anybody to beat them."

Play begins Monday as Bell City faces Risco at 6 p.m., Zalma takes on Advance at 7 and Richland meets Oran at 8. The semifinals will be at 6 p.m. and 7 Tuesday, with the finals at 8:30.

Class 1A, District 4

(at Valle)

Leopold, sporting a 21-5 record, is the No. 1 seed, but coach Leanne Huffman knows the Lady Wildcats will have to play well to prevail.

"We hope we can win it, but you never know," she said. "We just have to be ready to play."

Meadow Heights is seeded second with a solid 17-7 record, followed by Valle, St. Vincent, Oak Ridge and Kingston. St. Vincent has an 8-17-2 mark.

The tournament begins Tuesday with St. Vincent playing Oak Ridge at 5 p.m. and Valle taking on Kingston at 6:15. The semifinals will be at 5 p.m. and 6:15 Wednesday, with the title match at 8.