SECTIONAL VOLLEYBALL HELD TODAY

For the high school volleyball teams at Notre Dame, Bell City, Leopold and Perryville, today looms as the biggest date of the season so far.

Those four squads will all be participating in four-team sectional competitions today, with the champions earning berths in next weekend's state tournament in Warrensburg.

Notre Dame (21-6-2) will be at the Class 2A sectional hosted by Woodland. The Lady Bulldogs take on Bismarck (16-8-3) at 3 p.m., with Bernie (27-4) facing Caruthersville (17-7) at 4:30. The winners will square off at 6 for the title.

While Bernie, which has won three consecutive state championships, looms as the sectional favorite, things appear to be a bit more even than in the past. The Lady Mules weren't even seeded first in their district, but they upended Clearwater for the championship.

Notre Dame had little trouble winning its district tournament that the Lady Bulldogs hosted.

Bell City (29-1-1) and Leopold (23-4-1) will both take part in the Class 1A sectional hosted by Poplar Bluff. Leopold plays Eminence (20-8) at 3 p.m. while Bell City faces Southland (20-7) at 4:30. The title match is set for 6.

Bell City is the defending 1A state champion and the Lady Cubs have given every indication all season long that they intend to make a strong run at repeating. Leopold has also had an impressive campaign.

Perryville (16-9-3) will compete in the Class 4A sectional at Jefferson College in Hillsboro. The Lady Pirates play Hillsboro (13-13-1) at 4:30 p.m., following a match between St. Joseph's (27-1) and Cor Jesu (26-9) at 3. The championship contest will be at 6.