PREPS: Carson boys set for playoff opener

Carson High's boys soccer team will be at full strength Monday night when it hosts McQueen in the opening round of the NIAA Division I Northern Region Championships.

The game starts at 6 p.m.at CHS.

Carson earned homefield advantage with its 7-4-5 record and second-place finish in the Sierra League. McQueen, the No. 3 team n the High Desert, compiled an 8-6-2 mark.

One of those two ties came against Carson in the only regular-season match-up between the schools, and because of that Carson coach Mehdi Samii expects a tough game.

"We tied 0-0," Samii said. "We played on a smaller field; a grass field. It was very slow. The turf will help them. It was a very even game.

"We've got everybody back. We're playing real well right now. Everybody has been totally supportive; buying into what we're doing out there."

Carson played its season-ender against Douglas without Zach Smith (ill), Jon Guevara (red card) and Carlos Alvarado (red card). The red cards came against Wooster. It forced Samii to bring up some JV players.

Francisco Barrios, Guevara and Cristian Hernandez are dangerous goal scorers for the Senators, while Adam Shoaf, Alvarado, Smith, Cruz Kerver and Michael Samii lead a solid defense. The Senators have been a better defensive team since the younger Samii was moved back to defense by his dad. Daniel Zuber, Miguel Ortiz and Nathan King have been solid in the midfield.

Div.I: No. 3 Reed girls at No. 2 Carson

The Senators (13-1-2) are coming off a heartbreaking loss to Douglas in the regular-season finale on Monday. Reed finished 8-5-3 and was third behind Spanish Springs and Reno in the High Desert League.

The game is scheduled for Tuesday at 6 p.m. at CHS. The winner advances to the semifinals Thursday at 6 against either Galena or Spanish Springs.

Carson is led on offense by Kenzie Tillitt, Danielle Sandage and Michelle Sandage.

A solid back line of Bailie Zuber, Alissa Hayes, Katherine Leist, Shannon Flaherty and Lindy Lehman along with goalie Emmy Heller makes it tough to score goals.

Chantal Torres, Jamie Perez and Karla Reyes have all made big contributions during the season.

Div. I-A: Dayton girls at S. Tahoe

This game appears to be a mismatch. Dayton, one of four teams in the playoffs with a losing record, went 2-7-1 during the regular season compared to South Tahoe's 7-1-2.

The game starts at 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

The Dust Devils will have to tighten up their defense and get big offensive games from Maribel Ledezma and Devon Cates.

Div. IA: Dayton boys at Truckee

The Dust Devils squeaked into the playoffs by virtue of a 2-0 win over Fernley, and their reward is a game against the 9-1 Wolverines.

The game is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Wednesday.

Dayton has been much more competitive, but doesn't have the manpower to stay with Truckee.

VOLLEYBALL

Div. I: No. 4 Carson at No. 1 Spanish Springs

The Senators will have their hands full against the High Desert champs, who beat Carson in a late-season tournament and a late-season match.

The game is scheduled for Wednesday at 6 p.m. in Sparks.

"We played them somewhat close in the first game," Carson coach Robert Maw. "After that things went downhill for us. We're going to change things around a little bit, We're going to move Kaitlyn Jimmy over to the right side to strengthen our block. We have Brooklyn (Maw) back, and we didn't have her either time we played them.

"They are not really big, but they are very disciplined and pretty athletic. We have to see if we can get our defense going."

Carson needs to get good hitting and floor play from Savannah Smith and Courtney Hack, and good front-line play from Kammy Forrest, Kenzie Price

Div. I-A: No. 5 Dayton at No. 4 Fallon

The Dust Devils will travel to Fallon for the second time in five days, but this time there is a lot more at stake. Win and keep playing, or lose and go home.

The teams split their two matches during the Lahontan League season, each winning at home. First serve is scheduled for Tuesday at 6 p.m.

"We have to show up and play," Dayton coach Monica Halverson said. "The girls need to communicate (better). A lot of are trying to be leaders, but not all of them understand how to do it."

Much of any success Dayton may enjoy will hinge on whether Madison Foley plays or not. The talented front-line player has been bothered by a couple of different injuries. The latest is a pinched nerve.

"It's up in the air," Halverson said.

The Dayton coach said the decision on whether Foley plays will be decided by her parents.

If Foley doesn't go, the Dust Devils will be the underdog, and players like Alyse Fletcher, Peach Coons, Lettie Lynch and Ashley Vickers.

Div. IV: Virginia City vs. Eureka

The Muckers lost only one game in winning the Western Division, and will travel to Spring Creek to play Eureka in a first-round game.

The Muckers beat Eureka in a regular-season game. The teams square off Friday at 8 p.m.

VC is led by Jamie Poston, Nikki D'Agostino, Corinna Obermayr and Keana Prahl.