Seven local girls' volleyball team will begin play in the Central Coast Section playoffs this week, but only five have a chance of reaching the finals as head-to-head matchups will limit the potential finalists.

The most unfortunate seeding for local teams came in Division IV where Sacred Heart Prep (27-5) received the No. 2 seed and Menlo School (22-10) got the No. 3. Thus, the two neighborhood rivals who already have met twice during the West Bay Athletic League (Foothill Division) season likely will meet again.

While the first two meeting eventually decided the regular-season title -- the teams split and shared the crown -- the next time the teams meet will end one of their seasons.

Should the Knights and Gators will their openers in quarterfinal action Saturday, they'll face each other in the semifinals at Menlo School on Nov. 14. The last time the teams played on the Knights' court (last Thursday), Menlo won.

The division, however, is as tough as it comes anyway. Harbor (28-5) is the No. 1 seed while defending CCS champ Soquel (22-9) is No. 2.

Another local head-to-head could happen in Division I should No. 8 seed Gunn (16-16) beat No. 9 Sequoia (27-6) on the Titans' floor Wednesday (7 p.m.). A win by Gunn would mean a third meeting with Palo Alto (27-6), the No. 1 seed, on Saturday at Paly at 7 p.m.

The Vikings, despite losing the bulk of last year's team that won a second straight CIF Division I state title, battled their way to a co-championship in the tough SCVAL De Anza Division. Paly is primed for a run at the third straight section title.

The Vikings, however, could face division co-champ Homestead in the semifinals and that undoubtedly will be a tough test.

In the top half of the bracket is No. 3 seed Menlo-Atherton (24-7), which also is ready to challenge for the section crown. The Bears finally are close to being at full strength following the return of senior Ali Spindt, who missed much of the regular season due to injury.

Spindt played in back-to-back matches last week and put up some healthy stats while helping the Bears conclude a second straight 14-0 PAL Bay Division season.

A third straightt Palo Alto vs. Menlo-Atherton matchup in the finals would not be all that surprising.

Another possible title rematch could come in Division V where No. 2 Priory (18-8) and No. 4 Castilleja (16-15) could meet again.

Castilleja is the defending champion, but will have to get past No. 1 Notre Dame-Salinas (21-10) to defend. Priory's toughest competition before the finals appears to be No. 3 Santa Catalina (19-4).

2012 CCS GIRLS' VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS

DIVISION I
Wednesday's first round
All matches at 7 p.m.
No. 11 Milpitas (14-20) at No. 6 San Benito (20-13)
No. 10 Monta Vista (14-15) at No. 7 Santa Teresa (22-8)
No. 9 Sequoia (27-6) at No. 8 Gunn (16-16)

Saturday's quarterfinals
(All matches at 7 p.m.)
Milpitas or San Benito at No. 3 Menlo-Atherton (24-7)
Monta Vista or Santa Teresa at No. 2 Salinas (22-8)
No. 5 Carlmont (18-14) at No. 4 Homestead (21-8)
Sequoia or Gunn at No. 1 Palo Alto (27-6)


DIVISION II
Wednesday's first round
All matches at 7 p.m.
No. 11 Sobrato (15-14) at No. 6 Los Altos (21-14)
No. 10 Leland (15-15) at No. 7 Mountain View (17-16)
No. 5 St. Francis (19-13) at No. 12 Woodside (23-9)
No. 13 Lincoln (24-10) at No. 4 Westmont (21-7)
No. 9 Aragon (18-15) at No. 8 Cupertino (26-9)

Saturday's quarterfinals
All matches at 7 p.m.
Sobrato or Los Altos at No. 3 Los Gatos (21-6)
Leland or Mountain View at No. 2 Presentation (21-12)
St. Francis or Woodside vs. Lincoln or Westmont
Aragon or Cupertino at No. 1 Archbishop Mitty (31-0)


DIVISION III
Wednesday's first round
All matches at 7 p.m.
No. 10 Saratoga (17-15) at No. 7 Christopher (19-13)
No. 9 Monterey (12-19) at No. 8 Live Oak (12-16)

Saturday's quarterfinals
All matches at 7 p.m.
No. 6 San Mateo (14-16) at No. 3 Aptos (19-10)
Saratoga or Christopher at No. 2 Sacred Heart Cathedral (26-7)
No. 5 Branham (18-5) at No. 4 Burlingame (22-8)
Monterey or Live Oak at No. 1 Valley Christian (29-7)


DIVISION IV
Wednesday's first round
All matches at 7 p.m.
No. 11 The Kings Academy (14-12) at No. 6 Notre Dame-Belmont (16-14)
No. 10 King City (17-11) vs. No. 7 Mercy-Burlingame (22-12), TBA
No. 12 Carmel (20-14) at No. 5 Harker (20-6)
No. 9 Scotts Valley (12-12) at No. 8 Mercy-San Francisco (20-13)

Saturday's quarterfinals
All matches at 7 p.m.
The Kings Academy or Notre Dame-Belmont at No. 3 Menlo (22-10)
King City or Mercy-Burlingame at No. 2 Sacred Heart Prep (27-5)
Carmel or Harker at No. 4 Soquel (22-9)
Scotts Valley or Mercy-San Francisco at No. 1 Harbor (28-5)


DIVISION V
Wednesday's first round
No. 9 St. Thomas More (17-10) at No. 8 Pacific Collegiate (22-3), 7 p.m.

Saturday's quarterfinals
No. 6 Crystal Springs Uplands (23-9) at No. 3 Santa Catalina (19-4), 7 p.m.
No. 7 Alma Heights (18-4) at No. 2 Woodside Priory (18-8), 7 p.m.
No. 5 Anzar (23-5) at No. 4 Castilleja (16-15), 5 p.m.
St. Thomas More or Pacific Collegiate at No. 1 Notre Dame-Salinas (21-10), 7 p.m.

— Keith Peters/Palo Alto Online Sports

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