Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com

By Ray Hamill — The Del Norte Warriors will try to keep an impressive season going when they open the North Coast Section volleyball playoffs on Wednesday night in a showdown between two league champions.

And a former legendary player will be on hand, as the game will be broadcast live on KPOD 97.9 FM and on DelNorteSports.com.

Kaleya Sanchez, who was the 2018/19 Big 5 MVP in volleyball and basketball, will join longtime broadcaster John “Mad Dog” Horner in calling the action from Del Norte High School.

The Warriors received the No. 7 seed in NCS Division 4 and will open at home against No. 10 Fort Bragg.

The game is scheduled for 7 p.m.

The Warriors won this year’s Big 5 with a record of 8-0 and did not drop a set in league play.

They are 21-8 on the season, while the Fort Bragg girls finished 20-8 and placed first in the North Central League I.

Last year the Warriors won their playoff opener against Healdsburg before losing on the road at Saint Mary’s in the section quarterfinals.

This year, with nine players back from that team, the Del Norte girls are hoping for a longer playoff run and a trip to the NorCal playoffs, which can be achieved by reaching the semifinals of the 16-team Division-4 bracket.

Del Norte is one of four local teams to qualify for the postseason.

Also in Division 4, Arcata received the No. 9 seed and will open at No. 8 Kelseyville on Wednesday night.

In Division 6, Ferndale is the 8 seed and will host No. 9 Anderson Valley on Wednesday night.

St. Bernard’s is the top seed in the same division and has an opening-round bye before hosting either Ferndale or Anderson Valley on Saturday night.