PREP PREVIEW \ Regional volleyball

DIVISION IFITCH (16-8) vs. MENTOR (19-7)
When: Today, 6:30 p.m.Where: Hudson High SchoolNotebook: Fitch (16-8) is making its sixth regional appearance in the past seven years. The Falcons defeated Boardman in straight sets to win the district title last week in Stow. The Falcons won regional titles in 1999, 2001 and 2003 under former coach Tom Case, losing in the state semifinals all three years. Case retired after the 2003 season and was replaced by Dana Fellows, a 2000 Fitch graduate who played on the 1999 state semifinal team. Fitch's top player is junior Caitlin O'Patchen, a first team all-Federal League selection who was a starter on the 2003 state tournament team. Other players are seniors Rachel Ducay, Meghan McDermott, Nicole Smaldino and Emily Woodall, juniors Danielle Crum and Karla Farina, sophomores Becca Evans, Hope Sweany and Lindsay VonSchwarz and freshman Michelle Basista. The Falcons beat Mentor in the regional tournament in 2001 and 2003 and lost to the Cardinals in 2002. This is Mentor's 18th year in a row in the regional. The Cardinals start three sophomores. Their top hitter is senior Kim Mueller. The Cardinals finished second in the Lake Erie League to Lakewood.
DIVISION III
What: Girard vs. SmithvilleWhen: Today, approximately 8:30 p.m.Where: Barberton High SchoolNotebook: The Indians are making their fifth straight regional appearance under sixth-year coach Phil Walters. Girard (20-6) advanced by beating top-seeded Crestview in the district championship. The starting lineup includes senior defensive specialist Hillary Patterson, senior middle hitters Courtney Madden and Chelsea Morrison; junior outside hitter Elise Roscoe and sophomore setter Aysha Nickels. Depending on the serve/receive mode of the game, the sixth spot could be occupied by junior outside hitter Aly Moliterno, junior defensive specialist Ashley Palmer or junior right side player Mari Flynn. Patterson leads Girard in points (312) and aces (83). Walters says the 2005 squad is "one of the most well-rounded offensive teams we've had. The right, outside and middle are strong and the setter is able to distribute anywhere." Defensively, Girard's serve/receive percentage is better than any team in the past, with Roscoe leading the way. Rounding out the varsity roster of 10 are junior libero Lauren Chiec and sophomore outside hitter Cassie Guerrieri. Chiec gives the middles a break and Guerrieri splits time with Palmer and Moliterno. Other category leaders are: (kills) Chelsea Morrison 274, Madden 247, Roscoe 225; (digs) Madden 146, Elise Roscoe 143; (blocks) Morrison 54, Madden 52; (assists) Nickels 768. Smithville is a first-time opponent for Girard. The other semifinal is between Cle. VASJ and Chagrin Falls at 6:30. The regional championship is Saturday, 4 p.m.
Vindicator staff reports