The Pottsville girls' soccer team will begin PIAA play at 7 p.m. Tuesday against District 3 runner-up Cocalico at Blue Mountain's Eagles' Nest (Photo by Justin Reed / Skook News)

4 local teams alive in PIAA playoffs

Two Schuylkill League volleyball squads and two Schuylkill League soccer teams begin play in their respective PIAA tournaments with first-round action Tuesday.

In volleyball, Tri-Valley and Mahanoy Area will make their first foray into the state playoffs after winning their respective program’s first District 11 crowns Wednesday:

** Tri-Valley (18-4) will host District 3 runner-up Ephrata Mennonite (14-3) at 6 p.m. in Hegins. Should the Dawgs win, they will face either District 12 champion Maritime Academy Charter (7-4) or District 1 champion Faith Christian (19-5) in Saturday’s quarterfinals.

** Mahanoy Area (17-6) will trek to Downingtown to face District 12 champion Lansdale Catholic (7-6) at 5 p.m. Should the Bears win, they would face the winner of the first-round match between District 4 champion Wellsboro (18-4) and District 2 champion Holy Redeemer (20-3).

First-round matches for volleyball are at home gyms, unless that gym is not capable of hosting a state playoff event. All tickets cost $8 (plus applicable fees) and must be purchased online at www.piaa.org. Complete brackets are also available on the PIAA website.

Soccer

The Schuylkill Haven boys and Pottsville girls will represent the Schuylkill League when the PIAA Soccer Playoffs begin Tuesday. And both squads will open state play at the same location.

In a doubleheader at Blue Mountain’s Eagles Nest, Schuylkill Haven (15-5) kicks things off when the Hurricanes face District 12 champion Julia Masterman (6-7-2) in a Class A first-round match at 5 p.m. The Pottsville girls (15-4-1) follow at 7 p.m. when the Crimson Tide take on District 3 runner-up Cocalico (14-5-2) in a Class 3A first-round matchup.

Like volleyball, all tickets for PIAA soccer cost $8 (plus applicable fees) and must be purchased online at www.piaa.org. Complete brackets are also available on the PIAA website.