File photo – The Del Norte Warriors improved to 5-0 in the Big 5 with a win at Fortuna on Tuesday night.

A crucial Thursday night showdown will go a long way towards deciding the race for this year’s Big 5 championship in volleyball.

On Tuesday night, league frontrunners Del Norte and Arcata both won their respective matches at Fortuna and Eureka to remain on course for a conference championship.

The Warriors remain atop the standings after a three-sets win against the Huskies and improved to 5-0 in the Big 5.

The Tigers also won in straight sets against the Loggers and are now 4-1 in conference with their only Big 5 loss coming at Del Norte two weeks ago.

The two schools ,who have dominated conference play in recent years, will now play at Arcata on Thursday night and you can expect the atmosphere to be electric.

A win for the Warriors would guarantee them at least a share of a third straight Big 5 crown, while a win for the Tigers would set up an exciting run in and likely see them share the championship.

And Del Norte head coach Petra Lorenzi is expecting a battle.

“We are not underestimating what Arcata will bring to the court in their own gym on Thursday,” she said. “The team is working hard mentally and physically to prepare for Arcata.

“We are working on being disciplined players and teammates this week. In a rivalry game when emotions are high, being a disciplined team holds things together in a sport when momentum can shift in a matter of seconds.

“It should be a good battle.”

The Tigers beat the Loggers by a score of 25-17, 25-17, 25-23, but had to battle to secure the straight sets win with the home team pushing them all the way in the third set.

Quincy Collins and Nora Brumbaugh each led the way for the Tigers.

Collins finished with a game-high 10 kills and two blocks, while Brumbaugh added nine kills.

Kyla Kinyon added six kills in the win and Pearl Smith had five.

File photo – The Arcata Tigers

Smith also had a good night serving and finished with four aces, as did teammate Appy Harper, while Arcata’s Bella Campbell had 10 digs and Harper dished out 33 assists.

Aimee Rogers and Eddy Hale each had a lot of tough digs in the back row for the Loggers, who dropped to 2-3 in league play and remain third in the standings.

According to Eureka head coach Stephanie Napoleon, Arcata also played some tough defense, limiting the number of kills the home team had.

Tiarah Maualuga finished with four kills for Eureka, while teammate Samara Gaither had three kills and Baylie Battle finished with two.

Alena Battle also had three blocks.

At Fortuna, meanwhile, several Del Norte players enjoyed big nights.

Lauren Stutes finished with 12 kills and two aces, while Bliss Blackburn also continued to impress and added eight kills and 10 digs.

Tsinte Steinruck also impressed with six kills and six digs and libero Carlee Harper had eight digs and three aces.

A young Fortuna team was led by Olivia Scilacci, who four aces and three kills.

And head coach Rene Drakeford continues to see improvement from her young players.

“Despite being a young team we are constantly improving and learning, but we are struggling with coverage and reading the hitters,” the coach said.

The Huskies particularly impressed in the second set, which they lost 25-21.

Jaydyn Dalton also continued to impress for the home team and finished the match with 10 assists, two kills and a block, while teammate Taylor Heussler added a block and a kill.

Kiera Miles also had four kills, while Addie Collenburg and Piper Murray each finished with six digs.

The Huskies will have a bye in conference play on Thursday.

McKinleyville had a bye in conference play on Tuesday.

File photo – The Eureka Loggers