Girls Volleyball: Scouting the Class 3A Rich East Sectional

Marian Catholic (23-16) vs. Payton College Prep (27-10)

When: 7 p.m. today.

Advancement: Winner plays either Woodstock Marian Central or Carmel Catholic at 6 p.m. Friday in the state semifinals at Redbird Arena on the campus of Illinois State University.

Players to watch: Marian Catholic -- Amber Clay (OH), Colleen Rynne (S), Jasmine King (MH), Kelsey Clark (MH); Payton -- Michelle Schultz (OH), Alyssa Estrada (S), Kaimara Herron (MH), Theodora Peric (MH).

Analysis: Today's matchup will be one of youth vs. experience, best typified by the two teams' outside hitters. The Spartans, who have only one senior on the roster, reached tonight's match by winning nine of their last 10 matches, led by the hitting of sophomore Amber Clay. While Clay has put together an impressive first season on the varsity with nearly 300 kills, Grizzlies senior Michelle Schultz has made Chicago's all-city team four times, was named third team all-state last year and Chicago Public School Player of the Year this season. The key for the Spartans to stop the Grizzlies from advancing to state for the third time in four years may lie in the play of their middle hitters, who need to minimize the effectiveness of Schultz for the Spartans to have a chance at victory.

Quote: It's going to take a lot of heart from all of us to win. All of the skill is there; we have solidified everything we could over the season, now it is a matter of putting it into play !~ Marian Catholic outside hitter Amber Clay

~! Compiled by Vince Vosti