2019 WIAA VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFF PRIMER

SPORTSDESK - The 2019 WIAA Volleyball Tournament begins on Tuesday, October 22nd at gymnasiums and fieldhouses around the state of Wisconsin. When they do, Stratford (D3) and Columbus Catholic (D4) will have the inside track at claiming a spot in the state tournament at the Resch Center in Green Bay after claiming top seeds. Our projected #1 seeds from Central Wisconsin and their anticipated matchups:

Stratford (30-2) will begin their quest for a third consecutive Resch Center appearance as the #1 seed in the St. Mary Catholic section. They will begin with a home match against the winner of #16 Colby and #15 Spencer on October 24th. Their bracket shows a potential showdown with Marawood South rival #4 seed Auburndale in a Sectional Semi and #2 seed Fall Creek looming in a winner-go-to-state Sectional Final.

Columbus Catholic (25-9) will open at home in the 2019 playoffs as the #1 seed and host the #16 seed, Port Edwards on October 22nd. The Dons have been stunted by Newman Catholic in the playoffs for the past three seasons. Columbus was turned back by Newman Catholic in a 2016 Regional Final (3-2), swept by Newman in a Sectional Semi in 2017 and lost in five at Newman in a Regional Final in 2018. A Regional Final for Columbus Catholic would be at home in 2019 as the Dons are a #1 seed in the Suring Section. With #2 seed Newman also in the Suring this year, we could see a fourth consecutive year of Dons vs Cardinals. This time a trip to state would be on the line.

Check back later this week for a full WIAA 2019 Volleyball Tournament preview. Keep up with the Zaleski Sports live playoff broadcast schedule on Facebook Zaleski Sports and www.zaleskisports.com/live-sports