For The Dialog
Field hockey has reached the final week of the regular season, while volleyball playoffs begin Thursday at four first-round sites. Six Catholic schools have made the volleyball tournament, with three seeded in the top five.
Field hockey
Monday
St. Mark’s (3-10) at St. Elizabeth (4-10), 3:30 p.m. The Spartans are coming off a win against Tatnall and look for a season sweep of the Vikings.
Tuesday
Archmere (8-5-1) at Tower Hill (12-1), 3 p.m. The Auks will try to bounce back from a disappointing loss at Charter, but the second-ranked Hillers won’t make it easy.
Padua (12-0-1) at Ursuline (9-3-1), 3:45 p.m. Ursuline is 7-1 since its loss to the Pandas earlier this season. Fourth-ranked Padua hopes to add another quality win to its resume.
Wednesday
Wilmington Charter (6-7) at Ursuline, 3:30 p.m. The Force are coming off a 4-1 upset win over Archmere.
Wilmington Christian (12-1) at St. Mark’s, 3:30 p.m.
St. Thomas More (3-9-1) at Milford (8-5-1), 3:30 p.m.
Thursday
Padua at Wilmington Charter, 3:30 p.m.
Volleyball
Thursday, first round
No. 20 Brandywine (12-3) at No. 13 St. Thomas More (11-4), about 30 minutes following the 6 p.m. match between Sanford and Delmarva Christian. The Ravens open the tournament against the Flight B champions. A late change to the schedule gave the Ravens a home match instead of a trip to Wilmington. No. 4 Wilmington Friends awaits the winner Saturday at 6 p.m.
No. 23 Red Lion (6-9) at No. 10 St. Mark’s (8-7), 6 p.m. St. Mark’s defeated Red Lion during the regular season. The winner plays No. 7 Smyrna on Saturday at Brandywine at 7 p.m.
No. 18 Tatnall (8-7) vs. No. 15 St. Elizabeth (6-9), at St. Mark’s, about 30 minutes after the first match. Both teams played difficult schedules and are battle-tested. The reward for the winner is No. 2 Padua on Saturday at 6 p.m. at Brandywine.
Saturday, second round
Tatnall/St. Elizabeth winner vs. No. 2 Padua, 6 p.m., at Brandywine. The Pandas are poised for a deep run.
Delmarva Christian/Sanford winner at No. 3 Archmere (13-2), 6 p.m. The defending champion Auks had a great season.
Tower Hill/Newark Charter winner vs. No. 5 Ursuline (11-4), at Wilmington Friends, about 30 minutes after the first game, which starts at 6 p.m. Ursuline returns to the tournament after a two-year absence.
