Newton Citizen

CONYERS - The quest for state tournament berths in volleyball begins this evening.

Two of the six local squads - Salem and Alcovy - will be in action today as the area volleyball tournaments begin and continue through Saturday.

Area 2-AAAAA

Newton (13-14) is scheduled to start play in the Area 2-AAAAA tournament Friday at Luella High School in Locust Grove.

The Lady Rams, the No. 5 seed, will take on Warner Robins, the No. 4 seed, at 6:30 p.m.

The tournament concludes Saturday with Newton playing its second match at 11 a.m., if the Lady Rams lose to Warner Robins, or noon, if they beat Warner Robins.

Area 8-AAAA

The Lady Seminoles (0-22) travel to Winder to face host team Apalachee (14-19) in a play-in game at 5:30 p.m. today. The winner will advance to play Monroe Area (29-6), the Area 8-AAAA South champion, in the first round of Saturday's double-elimination tournament in Monroe.

Heritage and Rockdale have already locked up their spots in the area tournament bracket.

The Lady Patriots (24-17), who finished second in Area 8-AAAA South, will face Winder-Barrow (13-12), the No. 3 seed from 8-AAAA North, in the opening round Saturday at 9 a.m.

The Lady Bulldogs (21-18), who placed third in 8-AAAA South, will square with Cedar Shoals (8-11), the No. 2 seed from Region 8-AAAA North, also at 9 a.m. Saturday.

Area 4-AAAA

Alcovy (5-22) begins play today against top-seeded Jonesboro (33-13) in the Area 4-AAAA tournament at Ola High School in McDonough.

Win or lose against Jonesboro, the Lady Tigers, who are the No. 8 seed, are scheduled to play again in the double-elimination tournament today at 7:30 p.m.

The tournament concludes Saturday at Ola.

Area 8-AAA

Eastside (17-21) will face Jackson County (2-21) in the opening match of the Area 8-AAA tournament at 10 a.m. Saturday at Oconee County High School in Watkinsville.

The double-elimination tournament, which features only five teams, will start and end Saturday.

Jeff Gillespie can be reached at jeff.gillespie@rockdalecitizen.com.