Here is a list of the first-round matches Friday at the Southwest Minnesota Volleyball Challenge in Marshall:

SMSU R/A Facility

STMA vs. SF Washington, 5 p.m. on Court 1
Hopkins vs. Willmar, 5 p.m. on Court 2
Waconia vs. Minneota, 5 p.m. on Court 3
Tartan vs. Pipestone Area, 5 p.m. on Court 4

Wayzata vs. West Fargo, 6:16 p.m. on Court 1
Burnsville vs. Fergus Falls, 6:15 p.m. on Court 2
Eastview vs. Bemidji, 6:15 p.m. on Court 3
Litchfield vs. Bismarck Century, 6:15 on Court 4

Marshall High School
Marshall vs. Lincoln HI, 5 p.m. on Court 1
BOLD vs. Hutchinson, 5 p.m. on Court 2
RTR vs. Woodbury, 5 p.m. on Court 3
Owatonna vs. SW Star Concept, 5 p.m. on Court 4

Lakeville North vs. Montevideo, 6:15 p.m. on Court 1
Academy of Holy Angels vs. Fargo South, 6:15 p.m. on Court 2
Stillwater vs. Andover, 6:15 p.m. on Court 3
Rogers vs. Hibbing, 6:15 p.m. on Court 4

Hutchinson should have no problem with BOLD (0-2) with Class AA No. 3 ranked Marshall the same. So, we should have a rematch of the Section 2AAA final from 2006. I believe Marshall has only one starter from that team, while Laura Carlson and Carissa Hahn return for Hutchinson.

What makes this tournament so great for the Tigers is that they are almost guaranteed another great match with either state ranked Woodbury or Andover Saturday, and possibly another solid match with a Hibbing, Stillwater or West Fargo. That isn't too shabby for a team looking to gain respect with a tougher schedule this year.

First things first, Hutchinson has a section match in Willmar tonight at 7 p.m. Both teams are 3-0. Wish I could be there, but I'll be staying around these parts tonight for swimming and a region volleyball match.

Here is the Marshall Independent story on this weekend:
http://www.marshallindependent.com/page/content.detail/id/504229.html?na... [2]