Trip to semifinals on line for Tologs

GLENDALE — The Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy and Notre Dame Academy volleyball teams normally compete toward the beginning of the season in a nonleague match. That’s provided the players an opportunity to learn the strengths and weaknesses of their opposition.

For the first time since 2004, the teams will meet in a playoff match.

The fourth-seeded Tologs will host the Regals in a CIF Southern Section Division I-A quarterfinal match at 5:30 p.m. today. The Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy-Notre Dame Academy winner will meet top-seeded Santa Barbara or Upland in a semifinal match Tuesday at a site to be determined.

Notre Dame Academy swept Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy, 25-13, 25-23, 25-15 in a Division IV-AA semifinal contest on Nov. 16, 2004.

Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy — which finished second in the Mission League behind second-seeded Harvard-Westlake — topped host Notre Dame Academy, 25-17, 25-16, 23-25, 25-22, on Sept. 17.

Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy Coach Shelli Orlandini said the rivalry can bring out the best in both teams.

“We beat them real good the first time this year,” said Orlandini, who led the Tologs to the semifinals last season. “But they are probably real hungry to come up and play us again.

“The plus for them is that they have seen us. The plus for us is that we are at home. It’s like a grudge match, but it’s a fun rivalry because both teams are evenly matched and competitive.”

The Tologs (26-5) earned a first-round bye before posting a 25-21, 25-14, 25-18 second-round home win Thursday against El Modena.

Senior setter Sam Orlandini, the reigning All-Area Player of the Year, notched seven kills, 15 digs and 30 assists against El Modena.

Notre Dame Academy (22-7) finished second in the Sunshine League. It has begun the playoffs with sweeps against Hesperia and Valencia.