Chapel Hill downed conference rival Southern Vance last Thursday to advance into this weekend's sectionals of the NCHSAA 3-A volleyball tournament. The Tigers defeated the Raiders, 18-25, 25-12, 25-13, 25-27, 15-8, in what turned out to be an all-Carolina-Six affair in the district's third round.

Carolina-Six champion Cardinal Gibbons, which has yet to give up a set in the playoffs so far, swept Carolina-Six No. 4 seed Orange, 25-5, 25-11, 25-5, on Thursday.

Chapel Hill (24-5) was set to play nationally ranked Cardinal Gibbons (22-1), which downed CHHS twice in the regular season and then in Carolina 3-A tournament finals, in Saturday's section final. The match was played too late for today's Chapel Hill News. (See www.newsobserver.com or this weekend's editions of the News & Observer for results.)

The Crusaders are looking to make their 12th consecutive appearance in a state championship match. Gibbons is currently ranked 16th in the ESPN/Rise National "Fab 50" poll and 36th in the PrepVolleyball.com National Top 100 Poll.

The winner of Saturday's CHHS-Gibbons match advances to play either Triton (25-0) or D.H. Conley (25-5) in the NCHAA 3-A East Region final, and the winner of the regional will play for the state 3-A championship.

Thursday, Cardinal Gibbons was paced by Madison Bugg's nine kills, 12 digs, two blocks, two aces and six assists. Avery Striebel hit a match-high 12 kills, and Victoria Phillips handed out 26 assists. Christina Dorismond and Carolyn Albright combined to hit 12 kills on 18 attempts. Mandie Kramer picked up 12 digs.

Seeded No. 2 out of the Carolina-Six, Chapel Hill was just as well-rounded in its play against No. 3 Southern Vance, with three Tigers hitting double-digits in kills -- junior Kiaya Robinson (17 kills, 3 blocks, 6 aces); sophomore Katelyn Layden (12 kills); and sophomore Alex Taylor (10 kills, 5 aces).

Elise Healy assisted on 29 points before leaving Thursday's match with an injured hand. Amanda Thompson stepped in and tallied 12 assists. Helena Archer made four kills and six blocks, while Megan McCluskey, the team's lone senior, contributed five kills.

All four Carolina-Six teams advanced from the NCHSAA second round with wins on Tuesday evening.

In Wentworth, Chapel Hill took down Mid-State champion Rockingham with a 25-21, 23-25, 25-16, 25-12, road win. Three Tigers had double-digit kills -- Katelyn Layden (16), Megan McCluskey (14) and Kiaya Robinson (11) -- while setter Elise Healy had perhaps her best all-around match of 2009, with 43 assists and 5 serving aces.

Cardinal Gibbons swept McMichael, 3 sets to none on Tuesday, and the OHS Panthers won a five-set match at former Mid-State rival Eastern Alamance. Southern Vance upset Mid-Piedmont champion Southern Guilford in four sets Tuesday.

Cedar Ridge also advanced in the state volleyball playoffs, taking down High Point Andrews, 25-13, 25-10, 25-4, and then winning at Bunn 25-17, 23-25, 25-17, 25-10, last week to advance to a 2-A East sectional final. The Red Wolves (23-4) were to play Providence Grove (23-4), the No. 1 team out of the Mid-State conference, in Saturday's fourth round. The winner advances to the region final this week.

Taylor Thompson totaled 30 kills and Emily Holmes 28 over the two matches, while Chelsea Howlett had 74 assists and Siarra Cates a total of 24 digs. Morgan Veasey made an impressive 10 blocks against Andrews, and Leanne Maultsby had 11 kills at Bunn.