Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Fortuna’s Libby Johnston and her teammates will host Arcata on Tuesday.

By Ray Hamill — It’s going to be a big week in the race for the Big 5 and Little 4 championships in volleyball, with some key matchups on tap.

Heading into the second half of the Big 5 schedule there is a three-way tie atop the standings, with Arcata, Del Norte and Fortuna all 3-1 in conference play.

Two of those teams will meet on Tuesday night, when Arcata travels to Fortuna.

The Huskies got the better of the Tigers in the the first league meeting between the two, winning in straights sets.

The Arcata girls, however, are unbeaten in league play since then, including a key 3-2 win at Del Norte last week, handing the Warriors their first league loss.

The Huskies are coming off a bye in conference play last Thursday, two days after a tough loss in Crescent City, which was their first in Big 5 play.

It should be a fun couple of weeks on the local volleyball courts with the race for the Big 5 seemingly wide open right now.

Also on Tuesday night, Del Norte plays at McKinleyville, while Eureka has a bye.

The Little 4 also features a big matchup this week, with league leaders St. Bernard’s traveling to Hoopa on Thursday night.

The Crusaders (4-0 in the Little 4) got the better of the second-placed Warriors (3-1) in their first league meeting last week and can take a big step toward the conference title with a win this week.

Both teams, who will meet once more in league play in two weeks, will also be in action on Tuesday, when St. Bernard’s hosts South Fork and Hoopa plays at Ferndale.