RENO - Carson High's girls soccer team meets rival Douglas for the third time this season at 6 p.m. today in the semifinals of the NIAA 4A state tournament at Damonte Ranch High School.
Douglas is 20-2-2, while Carson is 14-1-4. Douglas defended its regional title last week with a 2-1 win over Galena, while Carson qualified for state with a 2-1 win over Damonte Ranch in the third-place game. This year Carson beat Douglas 1-0 at home and then the teams played to a scoreless draw in Minden.
Douglas hasn't beaten Carson since 2008. The last time the schools met in the regionals was 2001 when Carson grabbed a 1-0 decision.
"I think it will be a good match-up," Carson coach Randy Roser said. "I think it will be the game of the weekend. Galena looks like it will have a pretty easy time against Pahrump.
"When we played Douglas on their field, it was really physical. On our field it is a little more wide open because we have a wider field."
Roser expects Douglas to come out super hard in the first five minutes of the contest when the adrenaline rush is there for all the players.
Defensively, Carson will be focusing on keeping Alex Laing, Tia Lyons and Katie Dry in check. Lyons led the team with 20 goals, Dry added 13 and Laing nine. Laing scored both of Douglas' goals in the regional title win over Galena.
Roser would like to see his team stay connected and build offense from the back with sharp, crisp passes. Kenzie Tillitt and Josie Daggs are the Senators' best scoring threats and Natalie Stevens leads a stingy defense.
VOLLEYBALL
The Douglas Tigers are seeking their first state title since 1998, a span of 12 years.
The Tigers (34-2 overall) face Sunset Region champion Bishop Gorman in the first round at Manogue tonight at 8 p.m.
The Gaels are 31-8 overall on the year and, like Douglas, blazed through their league schedule with a perfect 16-0 record.
They won the Sunset region in four sets over Centennial by the narrowest of margins - 25-23, 25-23, 24-26 and 25-14 last week.
The Gaels are led by seniors Liz Manthei (2.3 kills and 3.5 assists per set), outside hitter Kylie Shaw (2.7 kills per set) and libero Brooke McKenna (five digs per set).
Douglas will counter with one of the top all-around outside tandems in the state - seniors Shannon Dugan (3.3 kills per set), and Brenna White (3.0 kills per set). Senior setter Jackie Harper has averaged 8.4 assists per set, senior libero Mia Townsell averages 4.0 digs per set and senior middle blocker Emily Garcia has been averaging 1.0 blocks per set.
In 3A volleyball, Dayton plays Boulder City, which compiled a 24-11 record, tonight at 6:20 at Galena High School.
The Dust Devils are led by outside hitter Madi Foley, setter McKenzie Kielty, libero Amanda Arana, Cassie DePew, Jamie Darragh and Kathie Arias.
In 2A volleyball. Yerington, 35-1, opens play against Lake Mead, 24-13.
The Lions are the class of Northern Nevada with a win against 4A powerhouse Douglas under their belt. Makenna Lommori and Jennifer Aiazzi lead Yerington.
• Joey Crandall of the Record Courier contributed to this report