Scouting Fox Valley area Class 1A-2A regionals

Class 2A Aurora Christian sectional

Willows Academy (Des Plaines) regional

The matchups: No. 4 St. Scholastica vs. No. 5 Willows Academy, Wed. at 6 p.m.; No. 1 Immaculate Conception vs. Winner Match 1.; No. 2 St. Edward vs. Chicago Rickover Naval Academy, Thurs. at 5:30 p.m.; No. 3 Woodlands Academy vs. No. 6 Chicago Math and Science Charter, Thurs. at 6:30 p.m.; Winners of Thursday matches meet at 7:30 p.m.; Regional title match, Sat. at 1 p.m.

Outlook: Suburban Christian Conference rivals St. Edward (8-26) and Immaculate Conception (20-10) are the favorites to meet for the regional title. Last season St. Edward defeated IC in a supersectional to advance to the Class 2A state finals, where they finished third. The rivals have not met since Sept. 1, when IC prevailed 25-20, 25-22. However, St. Edward has changed considerably since that match. Junior Margie Haggenjos, a two-year starter at libero, has moved to right-side hitter. She made 3 solid blocks against Northwestern-bound Stephanie Holthus last week, when the Green Wave pushed the Big Northern-East co-champs to a third game. Excelling at libero has been sophomore Katie Ayello, whose speed allows her to make more digs than an archaeologist. The Wave could also get a lift from the return of sophomore outside hitter Sara Norman, who has missed most of the season with two fractured vertebrae, coach Jaime Dovichi said. The Green Wave and the Knights have played twice as many matches as some of the schools in this regional. "I expect it to be us and IC in the final," Dovichi said. "I have pretty high hopes going into the regional championships."

Advancement: The winner will advance to Aurora Christian to play the winner of the Chicago Latin regional on Tues., Nov. 3 at 6 p.m.

Class 1A Serena sectional

Westminster Christian regional

The matchups: No. 4 Kirkland-Hiawatha vs. No. 5 Mooseheart, Wed., 6 p.m.; No. 1 Hinckley-Big Rock vs. Hiawatha-Mooseheart winner, 7 p.m.; No. 2 Westminster Christian vs. No. 7 Alden-Hebron, Thurs., 5:30 p.m.; No. 3 Leland vs. Elgin Academy, 6:30 p.m.; Winners meet at 7:30 p.m.; Regional title match, Sat. at 6 p.m.

Outlook: Westminster Christian has improved this season behind the strong play of senior middle hitter Jessica Benson (202 kills, 61 aces) and junior setter Hannah Graves (432 assists, 86 kills). "This is the strongest Westminster team I have ever coached," Guy Lum said. "This is the first time I've had more than two seniors (five), so we have a very mature team and they're very consistent. We are heading into regionals with a lot of confidence." The Warriors open regional play Thursday against Alden-Hebron, a team they defeated 25-16, 25-16 on Sept. 16. A win would pit Westminster against the Leland-Elgin Academy winner. The Warriors swept Leland 25-23, 25-14 on Sept. 5. The Warriors have not faced cross-town rival Elgin Academy (9-7) this season. Hilltoppers coach Vicente Pena has three freshman starters. "This season we haven't been able to put it all together in a single game," Pena said. "I'd just like to see us do what we've been practicing." The winner will likely see top seed Hinckley-Big Rock in Saturday's regional final. The Royals have already set a school record for victories in a season (24).

Advancement: The winner will advance to Serena to play the winner of the North Shore Country Day regional on Tues., Nov. 3 at 7 p.m.