STATE VOLLEYBALL Friday's match

DIVISION I
AUSTINTOWN FITCH (23-4) vs.CINCINNATI URSULINE ACADEMY (24-3)
Game time: 2:30 p.m. at the Nutter Center, Wright State University, Dayton.
Cost: $7.
Fitch scouting report: After a 2-4 start, the Falcons have won 21 straight matches, capped by a three-set win over defending regional champion Mentor on Saturday. Fitch is making its third trip to the state tournament. The Falcons lost to eventual state-champion Cincinnati St. Ursula in 2001 in three games and to Rocky River Magnificat in 1999 in two games. Fitch plays three starters from that 2001 team -- seniors Maggie Case, Rachel Terzak and Stacie Mang. All three were first-team all-district picks this season and Case was a first-team all-Ohio selection last year. Two other Falcons -- senior Jenn Drabison and junior Jessica Evans -- started last year. Freshman Caitlin O'Patchen -- whose sister, Cara, coaches the junior varsity team -- is the sixth starter, while senior Allison Kenney also plays extensively. Head coach Tom Case, who is retiring after this season, has a 291-55 over 14 seasons and has won five straight district titles.
Ursuline scouting report: The defending state champions are making their third trip to the state tournament and eighth overall. The Bulldogs also won state titles in 1975 and '93. Coach Amie Meyer has a 169-46 record in eight seasons at Ursuline. The Bulldogs have two returning all-state players, seniors Stephanie Blackburn (first team) and Carli Reihman (second team). The Bulldogs defeated Dublin Coffman, 15-6, 15-2 in the regional final.
Other state semifinal: Cincinnati St. Ursula (28-0) vs. Toledo St. Ursula (26-1). The same three teams have made it to the state final three years in a row -- Cincinnati Ursuline, Cincinnati St. Ursula and Toledo St. Ursula. Because of the odd regional arrangement, Cincinnati St. Ursula and Cincinnati Ursuline cannot meet until the state final, despite being in the same county (Hamilton) and the same conference (Girls Greater Cincinnati League).
If you go: Take I-76 west to I-71 south to I-70 west to I-675 to the North Fairfield Road (Exit 17). Turn right onto North Fairfield Road, right on Col. Glenn Highway, then right on the on-ramp for 844 North. Exit at the Wright State University exit, turn left onto University Boulevard, then left onto Raider Road. Follow to the Nutter Center.
-- Joe Scalzo