[ By STEVE CARPENTER ]

[ BLUE DRAGON SPORTS INFORMATION ]

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The 16 teams to qualify for the Kansas State High School Activities Association Class 4A and Class 3A State Volleyball Championships have been determined and the pairings have been released.

The Hutchinson Sports Arena will be the host site for the 4A and 3A volleyball championships, which begins this Friday, Oct. 26 with pool play in both classes. The semifinals, consolation and championship matches will be on Saturday, Oct. 27.

CLICK FOR TIMES AND MATCHUPS FOR BOTH CLASS 3A AND CLASS 4A STATE VOLLEYBALL

Class 4A will open the action on Friday and Independence (37-2) is the top seed. Chanute (33-6) is the second seed.

Independence will play in Pool A with fourth seed Rose Hill (31-6), fifth seed Louisburg (32-8) and eighth seed Topeka Hayden (21-17).

Chanute will be paired in Pool B with third seed Andale (32-6), sixth seed Wichita Trinity (22-15) and seventh seed Biship Miege (21-16).

The 4A session on Friday begins at 8:30 a.m. with the top two teams from each pool advance to Saturday’s 10 a.m. semifinals. The championship and consolation matches will be at 11:30 a.m. or 20 minutes after the last semifinal match is completed.

Burlington (37-3) is the top seed in Class 3A. Beloit (34-4) is the No. 2 seed.

Burlington will be in Pool A with No. 4-seed Nemaha Central (35-8), fifth-seed Hesston (30-7) and eighth seed Hoisington (16-24).

Pool B will have Beloit, third seed Silver Lake (32-6), sixth seed Belle Plaine (32-8) and seventh seed Frontenac (31-10).

Pool play for Class 3A begins at 3:30 a.m. on Friday with the top two pool teams from each pool meet in the semifinals at 2 p.m. on Saturday with the championship and consolation matches starting at 3:30 p.m. or 20 minutes after the last semifinal match is completed.