Postseason Picture

Carson High boys soccer

Scenario: On the outside looking in

With the top six teams in Class 5A qualifying for the postseason, the Carson High boys soccer team (2-8-5 in league games) sits in seventh place with one game remaining. 

The Senators’ last league contest of the season will be against Galena (6-3-5), who has already qualified for the postseason.

In sixth place is Reed (4-9-1), with two games to play and a two-point cushion on the Senators.

With league wins being worth three points, Carson must win against Galena on Wednesday afternoon.

In order for Carson to jump Reed, the Raiders will need to lose both of their remaining games against Hug (12-0-2) and Spanish Springs (2-9-2).

Reed’s final league game against Spanish Springs will take place Saturday at Spanish Springs.

Carson High girls soccer

Scenario: Battling for a home playoff game

Carson High girls soccer has punched its ticket to the postseason for the first time since 2016. That is an accomplishment already set in stone.  

The next box on the team’s to-do list is to secure a home playoff game, which will involve some scoreboard-watching around the region.

As of Tuesday morning, McQueen (7-3-4 in league), Carson (8-6-1) and Galena (7-4-4) were all tied for third place with 25 points.

However, the Lancers have an edge with two games remaining on the docket while the Senators and Grizzlies have one.

There’s several different ways the final standings could shake out, but if the Senators want to get that first-round home playoff game, they’ll need to be No. 3 or No. 4.

Carson’s only contest left is against Bishop Manogue (4-8-2), who is currently in seventh.

Don’t count out the Miners just yet, as they have an outside shot at making the postseason with a win over Carson and Douglas.

McQueen was set to play No. 9 Spanish Springs (1-11-1) on Tuesday before closing at No. 1 Reno (9-3-2) on Saturday.

Galena ends its regular season at No. 8 Damonte Ranch (3-8-2).

Two of these teams will meet in the opening round — so believe that they’re all gunning for home-field advantage.

I can’t break down all the ways this could wrap up in a sensible manner, but be sure to keep an eye on those results from McQueen and Galena to see where the Senators’ postseason path will go.

(Carson High’s Sarah Miller (20) high-fives Dayna Myrehn (18) during a volleyball match earlier this season. The Senators are one win away from getting a home game to open up the Class 5A regional postseason next week. / Jeff Mulvihill, Jr. | InstaImage)

Carson High volleyball 

Scenario: Looking to secure No. 4 seed

The last time Carson High volleyball had a home playoff game was Oct. 31, 2017. This season, the Senators are hoping they’ll be hosting another home Halloween playoff contest five years to the day from the last one.

It’s fairly likely, too.

With a 7-7 league record and only two matches remaining, Carson can’t catch any of the top three seeds.

The Senators also have a two-game lead on both Douglas (5-9) and Galena (5-9) for the No. 4 seed, meaning the Senators need one win to clinch a home playoff game.

Tuesday night, Carson played at No. 8 McQueen (3-11), who they defeated in five sets in their first meeting.

If the Senators can’t beat the Lancers, it’ll come down to a Wednesday night meeting with Douglas.

Tuesday night, the Tigers will have a decisive meeting with Galena in Minden, setting up a path to the No. 5 seed.

Meanwhile, No. 7 Damonte Ranch (5-10) plays its last league game against Galena on Wednesday night.

If Douglas and Damonte Ranch can beat the Grizzlies, the Mustangs will jump into that sixth and final postseason spot.

Dayton High volleyball

Scenario: Fighting for first round bye

Five of the six playoff spots in the Class 3A North have been secured.

Dayton (6-3 in 3A West divisional play) will be one of those teams.

The rest of the playoff picture is a jumble, so bear with me.

The Dust Devils’ final league contest will be at Fernley (3-6) on Thursday evening.

Dayton bested Fernley in their only meeting this season, 3-1, and a win will put the Dust Devils into the driver’s seat.

Well, sort of.

Elko (5-3) has two league games left and holds the tiebreaker over the Dust Devils thanks to taking both meetings from Dayton this season.

Elko travels to Fallon (2-6) on Wednesday before heading to Winnemucca to take on Lowry (4-4) on Thursday.

If Elko wins both matches, it’ll take the No. 1 seed from Dayton.

However, a loss by Elko in either contest and a Dayton win secures the top spot in the 3A North for the Dust Devils.

There’s no home court advantage in the regional tournament as every game is played at Hug.

With the semis and finals both being played Saturday, a bye means getting a chance to watch your opponent sweat in a Friday night first-round showdown.

Sierra Lutheran volleyball

Scenario: A win equals a first-round bye

For Sierra Lutheran volleyball, the path to a first-round bye and the No. 2 seed is straightforward.

The Falcons travel to Coleville (4-2) on Saturday to close out their regular season and a victory means they’ll get a first-round bye and secure the No. 2 seed.

Also, the entire Class 1A West League tournament will be played at Sierra Lutheran, so the Falcons don’t have to be concerned with travel or an opposing crowd.

The No. 2 seed would also mean that Sierra Lutheran is one postseason win away from qualifying for the state tournament, as eight teams from around Class 1A qualify for the event in Las Vegas.

Smith Valley has already put the clamps on the No. 1 seed after not dropping a set in league play the entire season.

Pyramid Lake currently holds the No. 3 seed, but the Falcons hold the tiebreaker over the Lakers should it be needed.

If Coleville can knock off Sage Ridge (1-4) and Sierra Lutheran, it will likely grab the No. 2 seed in next week’s regional tournament.