Home volleyball playoff matches for Creekside, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra

A glance at this week's high school volleyball state playoff matches.

Class 5A (all matches today, 7 p.m.)

Baker County (12-6) at Ponte Vedra (23-1)

Winner gets: The Menendez-Bishop Kenny winner in the regional semifinals on Nov. 8. Ponte Vedra would host either team.

Glance: The Sharks are the unquestioned top team in the county, and barring a major upset, will probably face one of the best in Duval County in the second round. Ponte Vedra is deep, has a veteran setter in Rachel Halim, and a solid hitting duo in Ashley Lechleidner and Abbey Barnhard. The Sharks are definitely state semifinal material.

Menendez (12-15) at Bishop Kenny (22-6)

Winner gets: The Ponte Veda-Baker County winner in the regional semifinals on Nov. 8. Menendez would host Baker County, but travel to face Ponte Vedra.

Glance: The Falcons go on the road in a rematch of last season's postseason opener. Menendez gave the Crusaders everything they wanted last year before falling in five games. They'll have to play airtight ball and great defense to hang with BK. Menendez has a track record of playing its best at the end of the season, as was the case in the district tournament by coming out of the No. 3 seed to make the state playoffs. The Falcons are paced by Tori Johnson, Leisha Samuels and Danielle Forgie.

Bartram Trail (12-10) at Gainesville Eastside (14-12)

Winner gets: The Creekside-Belleview winner in the regional semifinals on Nov. 8. Bartram would travel to face either team.

Glance: The Bears found their way into the state playoffs with a good combination of power. Lexi Henriott, Alexis Breuklander, Ashland Rahn and Amanda Baureis power the Bears.

Belleview (14-13) at Creekside (21-5)

Winner gets: The Bartram-Eastside winner in the regional semifinals on Nov. 8. Creekside would host either team.

Glance: The Knights won their first district championship last week and get their reward now with a home game against the Rattlers. Creekside is loaded with talented college-bound players - Hayley Miller, Erika Hinel and Caley Crawford - and should be playing again on its home court next week. The Rattlers, however, haven't fared well against county teams, going 1-4 all-time. That lone win came against Creekside coach Megan Bowers when she was coaching at St. Augustine.

Class 6A (Wednesday)

Orange Park (15-9 at St. Augustine (17-8)

Winner gets: The Stanton-Leon winner in the regional semifinals on Nov. 8. St. Augustine would host Stanton, but travel to face Leon.

Glance: The Yellow Jackets expected to be here at the beginning of the season, and rightfully so. St. Augustine has gotten better and better as the season has worn on. Sierra Riter has played well at the net; libero Logan Holanchock is solid in the back row and Molly Burkhardt is running the offense well.