Berkshire, Independence, and Kirtland all won their Division III district semifinal matches on Wednesday and now will play for a district championship on Saturday.
The Badgers swept Garrettsville Garfield in a Medina District semifinal, 3-0.
Berkshire won the match 25-19, 25-11, 25-21.
Maddie Smetana led the Badgers with 17 kills and 16 digs and also recorded eight service points. Sierra Berman contributed to the win with 15 digs, seven kills, and six points, and Marissa Rish posted a team-high 20 assists to go along with 10 digs, six points, and five kills.
Berkshire will play Lake Catholic on Saturday at Medina High School at 7:00 p.m. The Cougars are the state’s top-ranked Division III team.
Independence dropped its first set against Wooster Triway in the Division III Elyria District semifinal match then rallied to win the next three to advance to a seventh straight district championship match.
Triway won the first set, 25-19, before the Blue Devils rallied to win the next three, 25-13, 25-15, 25-17.
Independence will play Chippewa on Saturday at Elyria Catholic High School.
Kirtland took a similar path to the Division III Orwell District championship match.
The Hornets, ranked 11th in the final Division III state poll, dropped its first set to 18th-ranked Mineral Ridge, 25-19, but regained their composure and swept the next three, 25-17, 25-12, 25-18.
Natalie Glowe led the Hornets with 14 kills in the match while Marissa Carmosino dominated at the service line with seven aces. Ava Golem posted a team-high 26 digs and Katie Reynolds led the offense with 36 assists.
Kirtland will play 9th-ranked Columbiana Crestview in Saturday night’s district championship match.
Edgewood’s season came to an end with a 3-0 loss to Marlington in a Division II district semifinal.
Marlington won 26-24, 25-22, 25-19.
Ella Sloan and Isabelle Stern tied for the team lead with 12 kills while Sarah Coxon added nine. Makenna Vencill contributed with 12 a team-high 12 digs, and Stern also posted three blocks for the Warriors.
