On Hallowed Eve and the volleyball 1/4 finals, most of the top seeds advanced to the semi finals on Tuesday November 4, setting up  on the edge of your seat drama for the next round of the playoffs. However, in boys 1/4 final action, # 3 Bishop Mahoney was scared and then shocked by the Bears, as # 6 Aden Bowman marked the one upset on the evening and will  move to the second round of the playoffs.

On the girl's side, the # 4 Marion Graham Falcons will head to # 1 St. Joseph to face the undefeated Guardians, a rematch of sorts of last year's championship game opponents.  The Falcons advanced with a straight set victory over the Evan Hardy Souls.  St. Joseph moved on by easily defeating the Bedford Road Redmen.   The other semi final will feature the # 2 Bishop Mahoney Saints hosting the # 3 Holy Cross Crusaders. The Crusaders have been steady all season, keeping close to the Saints and Guardians at the top of the standings.  It should prove to be one of the featured games in round 2 as both teams are aggressive at the net and play solid defense behind the block.  Service errors and unforced mistakes may be the difference in determining who advances to the championship game.  Risk versus reward, aggression versus playing it safe will be fun to watch point to point at the power position of these two teams.  Which team takes advantage of free balls and goes aggressively to the attack could determine the outcome of this contest which could be the most entertaining of the matches on the evening.

You have heard of a trailer, the foreshadow., a prelude, and the sneak peak, the SSSAD Sr. Girls Volleyball league may have one of their own on October 7.   The undefeated Bishop Mahoney Saints host the undefeated St. Joseph Gurardians at 6:00 PM which could potentially determine a league title, and may give volleyball enthusiasts an early look at the city championship competitors.

It is only in early October, playoffs still a month away, but the Guardians and the Saints both head into Tuesday's contest with identical 6 win and 0 loss records.   It is a matchup which has been anticipated since the start of the season.  With both programs dominating and sitting at the top of the standings, a victory by one team or the other could give the victor a tight hold on a league title and the #1 seed heading into the playoffs.  St. Joseph has been an annual contender for a championship for years, and Bishop Mahoney has built slowly and steadily an experienced and deep program with defense being the root of their success. 

Marion Graham and Holy Cross could still have something to say about the top honors for the league championship.  Both teams have had solid seasons and have been staying close to the front runners.  With teams reaching the half way point of the season, there is still plenty of time to catch the Saints and Guardians at the the top of the standings.  Remember, it isn't always about what you do in September, but what you do in October and November which decides your championship destiny. 

October 15, 16 and 21 will see Marion Graham and Holy Cross challenging St. Joseph and Bishop Mahoney and help sort out the playoff picture for 2008 and separate the pretenders from the contenders for the championship drive.   Keep your eyes on the prize.