varsity.roanoke.com

SAM DEAN The Roanoke Times

Sarah Church (10) and the Hidden Valley Titans take on Emily Richardson (22) and the Salem Spartans in today's state semifinal game. It will be the teams' fourth meeting.

Here's what we know:

One volleyball team from the River Ridge District will be playing for the Group AA championship on Saturday at the Siegel Center in Richmond.

The unknown: Will it be Salem or Hidden Valley?

The Spartans and Titans square off in the semifinals at 3 p.m. today to decide who earns that distinction.

And since the two have already played two regular season River Ridge District matches, followed by a showdown in the Region IV final contest, it's no reach to say these teams know each other well.

"It gets really tricky," Salem coach David Turk said. "It gets really hard to be able to do something that's gonna surprise the other [team], so you pretty much are gonna have to play knowing what they're gonna do and just simply outplay them."

Salem beat Hidden Valley in the regular season meetings, but the Titans scored the most recent victory in the Region IV championship.

It's nothing to dwell over, Titans coach Carla Poff said. Rather, she said will try to make the best of the circumstance.

"It can be a good and a bad thing, but I think coming into a situation like this, I think it's a good thing," Poff said. "... We kind of know their tendencies, we've played them some, our team's playing really good right now. So is [Salem]. ...

It's just gonna come down to who wants it the most and who executes and I think it's two good teams and it shows how strong the River Ridge is."

So the real challenge is figuring out what kind of twist might throw the opposition off. What are you going to do to ensure that this team that you know so well is not going to best you in the most important head-to-head matchup of the year?

Both coaches believe it's all about the effort.

For Hidden Valley, it's the same attitude that got them to this point -- even after losing key player Samantha Ringer for the rest of the season due to injury.

"Staying mentally tough, playing as a team, supporting each other, shaking off mistakes," said Poff. "I just think it's really about team right now.

"They pulled together more as a team because [Ringer's injury] made us do that."

Turk's squad had to overcome similar circumstances, namely losing his daughter, setter Rachel Turk -- the River Ridge District player of the year -- for a period of time due to illness. The Turks are also mourning the passing of David Turk's father, Herman Turk Sr., who died on Monday.

Still, Salem was dominant in its win over Rustburg on Tuesday.

"We're finally getting healthy again and gotten all our players back from injury so I think we're playing pretty well ... so it should be a fun match," said Turk.

Both Salem and Hidden Valley boast good hitting, as well solid defenses that will make it very difficult for those hitters.

Something's got to give right?

"Our kids are just as excited as they can be because to get into the state they achieved one of their huge goals but that wasn't the end of the line for them," Turk said. "They want to go further."

For either team to go further, they have to make it through today.

Eagles also on board

Auburn also made the trip to Richmond as Timesland's lone Group A representative and will face Gate City -- which beat Three Rivers District regular season champion Glenvar in Tuesday's quarterfinals -- at 7 p.m. in the semifinals.

The Eagles are led by Chelsie Kenley, who has more than 1,000 career kills, and Sabrina Huff who hit the 2,000 mark in career assists.

Auburn will have it's hands full with Gate City which has made the championship the last four years, winning it in 2004 and 2005. The winner will play either Wilson Memorial or Strasburg.