The regular season is a memory, so it’s down to state tournament time in Delaware. Archmere, Saint Mark’s and Salesianum are battling in lacrosse, baseball, tennis and volleyball.
Salesianum lacrosse is the defending lacrosse state champions, and they are the top seed in the tournament this year. In addition, Andy Zhu of Archmere is attempting to become a four-time tennis state champ at first singles. He is the top seed. Saint Mark’s lacrosse returns to the postseason, and the Spartans lead three Catholic schools in the baseball tournament as the ninth seed.
Tickets to all events are available at https://gofan.co/app/school/DIAA. Locations and times are subject to change.
Volleyball
Tuesday, May 21
Semifinal: No. 5 Caesar Rodney at No. 1 Salesianum, 6 p.m. The Riders earned a trip to the semifinals with an upset of No. 4 Appoquinimink. Caesar Rodney’s lone two losses both came to No. 3 Cape Henlopen, the defending state champs. They face a stiff test at Salesianum. The Sals defeated Newark Charter in the quarters in a sweep and have their eyes on a return to the state championship match.
Thursday, May 23
Championship: If Salesianum advances, the Sals would play the winner of No. 3 Cape Henlopen at No. 2 Wilmington Charter at 6 p.m. at Smyrna High School.
Lacrosse
Tuesday, May 21 (first round)
No. 12 Caravel (10-4) at No. 5 Archmere (11-4), 5 p.m. The Auks have had a tremendous season, defeating the second, third and fourth seeds in the state tournament, and they’ll host the Bucs in round one. Archmere’s offense was held to single digits in just one of its wins, and their losses came against a beefed-up schedule. The Buccaneers won their first nine before a tough stretch. They also can score lots of goals.
No. 16 Tower Hill (6-9) at No. 1 Salesianum (13-2), 6:30 p.m. The Hillers have a defense-first mindset, and they’ll have to be at the top of their game against the Sals. Salesianum spent the season ranked in the top 25 nationally and defeated several regional and national powers.
Wednesday, May 22 (first round)
No 10 Saint Mark’s (12-3) at No. 7 Wilmington Charter (11-4), 4:30 p.m. Saint Mark’s has the chance to continue its best season in the last decade, and they’ll open at Wilmington Charter, who defeated the Spartans to end the regular season last week. The Spartans have several potent scorers, and on defense, they gave up just five and a half goals per game.
Baseball
Thursday, May 23 (first round)
No. 24 Lake Forest (8-10) at No. 9 Saint Mark’s (14-4), 4 p.m. The Spartans of Saint Mark’s and the Spartans of Lake Forest met in Felton early in the season and left with a big victory. But Lake earned a spot in the tournament with a few wins over tournament teams, plus its strength of schedule, and Saint Mark’s would be smart not to take them lightly.
No. 20 Brandywine (13-5) vs. No. 13 Salesianum (11-7), 4 p.m. at Dyer Field, Claymont. Brandywine should feel at home at nearby Dyer Field, the Sals’ home this season, but they’ll face a Salesianum team that got hot at the end of the regular season. Interestingly, these two teams are the only ones to defeat Sanford this season.
No. 22 Archmere (9-9) at No. 11 Dover (13-5), 4 p.m. The Auks’ schedule gave them enough bonus points to reach the state tournament, where they hope to reverse recent fortunes. The Senators, on the other hand, have won 10 straight, four of those over teams in the state tournament.
Saturday, May 25 (second round)
If Saint Mark’s advances, the Spartans would play at No. 8 Concord (15-3) at 1 p.m.
If Salesianum advances, the Sals would play No. 4 Delaware Military (15-3) at 1 p.m. at Newark National Little League.
If Archmere advances, the Auks would play at No. 6 Caesar Rodney (13-5) at 1 p.m.
Tennis
Tuesday, May 21
Quarterfinals, 3:30 p.m. at Odessa, Middletown and Appoquinimink high schools and at St. Andrew’s School. Archmere has participants remaining in all five positions. Salesianum has a team left in second doubles.
Wednesday, May 22
Semifinals, 3:30 p.m. at St. Andrew’s School and Odessa High School
Thursday, May 23
Finals, 2 p.m. at St. Andrew’s School, Middletown
