The 2023 prep volleyball schedule has reached region play as teams began their march to a playoff berth with games across the southern six this week.
Very few, if any, upsets occurred as early-season favorites took care of business on Tuesday night. In the only non-region contest, Our Lady Academy swept Pass Christian 3-0. The Lady Crescents improved to 8-2 and travel to Perry Central to open region play Thursday while the Lady Pirates fell to 3-6 and have to wait until August 29 to take on Greene County in their division opener. Greene County swept Moss Point in 4A play as well Tuesday night.
In 7A, preseason favorites Gulfport and Ocean Springs both opened region play with 3-set sweeps as the Lady Admirals took down St. Martin while the Lady Hounds did the same to D’Iberville. Gulfport, 10-1, travels to Ocean Springs, 6-2, for their first region matchup on Thursday night. Ocean Springs defeated the Lady Admirals in a three-set match in Jackson earlier this month.
Biloxi took a huge step toward challenging Gulfport and Ocean Springs as they cooled off Harrison Central. The Lady Red Rebels came in 10-1 but the Lady Indians swept them at home Tuesday night. Harrison Central will try to get back on track hosting D’Iberville on Thursday while Biloxi looks to remain perfect in region play at St. Martin.
Class 6A finds favorites Long Beach, Hancock and West Harrison all at 1-0 in league play. The Lady Hawks dispatched George County in four sets Tuesday in the Kiln while West Harrison swept Picayune and Long Beach did the same to Pascagoula. George County looks to get on track at West Harrison Thursday in a match originally scheduled for Lucedale while Hancock travels to Long Beach with the winner taking the early region top seed. Picayune is at Pascagoula taking on the Lady Panthers with both teams looking for their first region win.
In Region 3-6A, Pearl River Central travels to Soso Thursday night to take on the West Jones Lady Mustangs.
In Class 5A, East Central, Vancleave and Stone all stand at 1-0 in Region 4-5A following 3 set sweeps. The Lady Hornets took care of Laurel while their Jackson County neighbor was knocking off Gautier and Stone defeated Wayne County. Stone and Vancleave hook up in Vancleave Thursday night while East Central hosts Gautier and Pascagoula makes the long drive to Picayune.
In Class 4A, Bay High swept Moss Point, Resurrection and Pascagoula on Saturday 2-0 each in the Vancleave Tournament before falling to the host Lady Bulldogs 2 sets to 1. Vancleave also beat RCS.
In 8-3A, St. Patrick defeated West Marion in 4 sets and the Lady Irish look to stay atop the standings Thursday as they host Tylertown. Resurrection opens region play hosting West Marion on Thursday night.
