Local Strains reached the championship after edging HAGGAN, 3-2, in a back-and-forth match that went the distance.

HAGGAN took the opening set, 25-23, but Local Strains answered with a 25-22 win in the second set to even the match at 1-1. HAGGAN regained the lead in the third set, 25-19, putting Local Strains one set away from elimination.

Local Strains responded once again, taking the fourth set, 25-20, to force a deciding fifth set.

The Local Strains jumped out to an early lead in the fifth and held an 8-6 advantage when the teams switched sides. Local Strains maintained its three- to four-point cushion through the remainder of the set, closing out the fifth, 15-11, to win the match 3-2. 

The victory also avenged Local Strains’ regular-season loss to HAGGAN, which defeated the Local Strains in another five-set battle earlier in the season.

Local Strains improved to 5-2 on the season, while HAGGAN fell to 4-2.

In the other semifinal, ButterHouse powered past U-Fly, 3-1, continuing its undefeated run through the league.

ButterHouse controlled the opening two sets, winning 25-21 and 25-23 to take a 2-0 lead. U-Fly fought back in the third set, winning 25-20 and keeping the match alive.

ButterHouse, however, closed out the fourth set, 25-19, to secure the 3-1 victory and a spot in the championship match. 

ButterHouse remains undefeated at 6-0, while U-Fly fell to 3-4.

With the semifinal round complete, ButterHouse will face Local Strains for the league championship Thursday night. HAGGAN and U-Fly will meet earlier in the evening for third place.

Thursday, October 8

• 6:30 p.m. — HAGGAN vs. U-Fly Third-Place Match (UOG Athletics Page)
• 8:15 p.m. — No. 1 ButterHouse vs. No. 3 Local Strains Championship Match (Clutch Plus Channel)

All matches will be played at the UOG Calvo Field House. The third-place match will be streamed on the UOG Athletics Facebook Page, while the championship match will be streamed on the Clutch Plus Channel.