WHO/WHEN: River Ridge (17-5) vs. Gaither (15-1), 2 p.m.; Mitchell (18-9) vs. No.2 Plant (23-3), 4 p.m.; regional final, 7 p.m.
ADMISSION: $6 for the day.
THE SKINNY: River Ridge has the edge in postseason experience, as Gaither's playoff win Tuesday was the second in school history. The Cowboys trailed Brandon 2-0 in Thursday's district championship game before rallying to win in five games. Katie Anderson led Gaither with 17 kills, the last a dink to clinch the fifth game 15-13 after Brandon had rallied from an 11-3 deficit. River Ridge is seeking its second consecutive region final after beating Middleburg in three games during last year's semifinal. ... Mitchell's chances at upsetting Plant could take a hit if junior middle hitter Kari Wiedinger can't play because of an ankle injury suffered at the end of Wednesday's practice. Wiedinger practiced gingerly Thursday with the ankle wrapped, and if she's limited Saturday, the Mustangs need big games from its other middles, Shannon Stash and Heather Wert.
Class 4A, Region 3
WHERE: Hudson High.
WHO/WHEN: No.7 Clermont East Ridge (27-2) vs. Winter Haven (8-12), 2 p.m.; Hudson (23-4) vs. Auburndale (19-8), 4 p.m.; region final, 7 p.m.
ADMISSION: $6 for the day.
THE SKINNY: Hudson has beaten Auburndale twice in the playoffs, winning in the first round in 1978 and 1999. The Cobras remain unranked but have the best record of any 4A host team, though they have more losses than surprising East Ridge, a second-year program that eliminated Wesley Chapel on Tuesday. A Hudson-East Ridge final would pit two similar teams: both win with depth, a balanced offensive attack and strong defense. The Cobras, led by Jessica Borrello and Amanda Kuerner outside and Allyson Ray in the middle, would have an edge as the region's hardest-hitting team.
Class 3A, Region 2
WHERE: Hernando High, Brooksville.
WHO/WHEN: Pasco (11-13) vs. No.4 Orlando Lake Highland Prep (22-5), 2 p.m.; Hernando (22-3) vs. Orlando Bishop Moore (13-14), 4 p.m.; region final, 7 p.m.
ADMISSION: $6 for the day.
THE SKINNY: The Pirates, fresh off their first playoff win, face another state-ranked opponent, this after eliminating Dixie County on Tuesday. Lake Highland Prep has struggled at this point in the postseason, losing in the second round the past two years. Pasco would like nothing more than a fourth shot at the host Leopards, who swept two close regular-season meetings and beat the Pirates in last week's district championship. Hernando is making its deepest playoff run since winning three matches in 1996. Until Tuesday, the Leopards hadn't won a postseason match since and hadn't made the playoffs in three years.
