The Class 3A sectional pairings for the IHSAA volleyball tournament feature some intriguing matchups. Area sectional play gets under way Tuesday and runs until Saturday, Oct. 22, with the winners advancing to their respective regionals.

Here's a look at sectionals involving 3A teams from the north suburban area.

Match 1 -- Lebanon vs. Western Boone, 6 p.m. Oct. 20.

Match 2 -- Brebeuf Jesuit vs. Crawfordsville, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20.

Match 3 -- Winner of Match 1 vs. Winner of Match 2, 11 a.m. Oct. 22.

Match 4 -- Danville vs. Southmont, 12:30 p.m. Oct. 22.

Championship -- Winner of Match 3 vs. Winner of Match 4, 7 p.m. Oct. 22.

Favorite: Brebeuf Jesuit. The Braves beat 4A No. 2 Cathedral on Tuesday to improve to 29-1 (with the lone loss by forfeit). To the three Brebeuf seniors who have made oral college commitments -- setter Sam Gray (Purdue), middle hitter Kim Kristoff (Notre Dame) and outside hitter Courtney Diggins (Ball State) -- and three other seniors playing major roles, the only way to finish their prep careers is on top.

Sleeper: None. Brebeuf is just too good.

Other local teams: Lebanon entered the week 7-15, but picked up another win Monday against Decatur Central. The Tigers lost to Western Boone on Tuesday on their Senior Night. . . .Western Boone rebounded in a big way from a sub-.500 season in 2004. A big reason is the play of senior Erin Dull and Elizabeth Mercer, a 6-3 sophomore.

Match 1 -- Washington vs. Whiteland, 6 p.m. Oct. 20.

Match 2 -- Roncalli vs. Beech Grove, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20.

Match 3 -- Winner of Match 1 vs. Winner of Match 2, 11 a.m. Oct. 22.

Match 4 -- Bishop Chatard vs. Howe, 12:30 p.m. Oct. 22.

Championship -- Winner of Match 3 vs. Winner of Match 4, 7 p.m. Oct. 22.

Favorite: Roncalli. The third-ranked Rebels (22-7) are eager to reclaim the sectional title from 2004 winner Bishop Chatard, and appear to be heading into the postseason on a roll. En route to Saturday's LaPorte Invitational championship, Roncalli beat 3A No. 6 Yorktown and No. 7 Mishawaka Marian, in addition to 4A No. 4 Mishawaka and No. 7 LaPorte.

The Rebels have one of the best setters in the state in Paige Weber, whose main targets are Ashley Brown and Rachel Klene.

Sleeper: Bishop Chatard. The defending 3A state champs got a bye into the semifinals and should meet rival Roncalli for the championship. On Sept. 12, the Trojans "upset" the Rebels 17-25, 25-21, 25-19, 16-25, 15-11, which should give them confidence.

Although Chatard's overall record is 21-13 after Wednesday's victory over North Central, the relatively inexperienced bunch has jelled.

Top returnee Jessica Zirrillo (386 kills, 221 digs, 47 aces) has stepped into a leadership role. First-year starting setter Kiley Wease has 839 assists and 47 aces. Fellow newcomer Courtney O'Brien has 203 kills.

Other local teams: None.

Match 1 -- Pendleton Heights vs. Mount Vernon, 6 p.m. Oct. 20.

Match 2 -- Hamilton Heights vs. Yorktown, 8 p.m. Oct. 20.

Match 3 -- Winner of Match 1 vs. Winner of Match 2, 10 a.m. Oct. 22.

Match 4 -- New Palestine vs. New Castle, noon Oct. 22.

Championship -- Winner of Match 3 vs. Winner of Match 4, 7 p.m. Oct. 22.

Favorite: New Castle. The Trojans (28-4) won't find it easy to defend their title. Not in a sectional this deep.

New Castle will be prepared for anything after playing one of the state's toughest regular-season schedules, which included wins against 4A No. 2 Cathedral and No. 3 Center Grove.

Sleeper: Pendleton Heights. The Arabians are 19-9 after Monday's loss to Delta, and Wednesday's victory over Zionsville.

Other local teams: Hamilton Heights entered the week at 16-10. The Huskies have won just one sectional volleyball title in their history, in 1983, and will be hard-pressed to add many more in this sectional alignment. First-round opponent Yorktown is ranked No. 6 in the state.

Heights junior Janae Curnutt is the team leader with 318 kills in addition to her 270 digs and 79 aces. Setter Cory Gentry is another top producer with 610 assists, 260 digs and 44 aces.