Five area teams, four of them from Northwestern Lehigh, will begin their run for state titles this week.

The PIAA first round playoffs open today and Wednesday in volleyball, field hockey, and boys and girls soccer.

Four wins are needed to capture a state championship.

The Tigers’ field hockey squad, which won the District 11 Class 1A title by edging Pen Argyl, will be the first TN team in action. Coached by Lissa Opolsky, Northwestern will play host to Littlestown tonight at 6.

The D-11 champs have a 15-6-1 record, while the Thunderbolts are the No. 3 seed out of District 3 and own a mark of 20-3. The winner of their matchup will face either Wyoming Area or West Perry in the quarterfinal round on Saturday.

All four of the other teams — Northwestern’s two soccer teams and volleyball squad, as well as the Northern Lehigh boys soccer — will open play on Wednesday.

The two Tiger soccer teams will participate in a girls/boys doubleheader at home.

The girls, coached by Jordan Smith, will play in the first game at 5 p.m. and will host the District 4 runner-up, Midd-West, in a 2A matchup.

Northwestern, led by the all-time District 11 goal scorer Sophia Schaffer, currently has a record of 23-1-1. The Tigers recently captured their eighth straight district title by cruising past Notre Dame. Meanwhile, the Mustangs enter state play with a mark of 16-3-2. The team that survives Wednesday’s contest will meet the winner of Central Columbia and Lake Lehman.

At the conclusion of the Northwestern/Midd-West game, the Tiger boys will take on Tulpehocken — the No. 2 seed from District 3.

Nate Hunsicker guided Northwestern to a state title two years ago and the Tigers are hoping for PIAA gold again this season.

The Tigers rolled past Northern Lehigh for their eighth consecutive district championship, and have posted a record of 21-1-2. They will face a Trojan squad that brings a 16-3-2 mark to New Tripoli.

The winner advances to the 2A quarterfinals and will meet either Lake Lehman or Lewisburg.

In another 2A contest, Northern Lehigh will hit the road to face Wyomissing Area, the District 3 champions. The game will be played at Exeter Township High School and start at 7 p.m.

The Bulldogs are making their first appearance in the state playoffs. Coached by Jay Ohland, Nolehi sports a record of 10-7-5. They will take on the Spartans, who blanked Tulpehocken 3-0 to claim the D-3 crown and have a mark of 15-3-3.

The team that can pull out a victory meets Faith Christian or Devon Prep in the next round.

The area’s other team in state playoff action is Northwestern’s volleyball squad, which enters the 4A tourney as the District 11 runner-up.

The Tigers, who lost to Bethlehem Catholic in the district final, travel to Crestwood to take on the District 2 champions. The Comets come in with a record of 14-3, while Northwestern — coached by Mike Maston — sits at 19-7.

The winner remains alive and advances to play either Schuylkill Valley or Archbishop Carroll.

The quarterfinal rounds for each sport will take place on Saturday.

PIAA Playoffs

Field Hockey

Class 1A First Round

Tuesday, Nov. 10

District 3 No. 3 Littlestown at District 11 No. 1 Northwestern, 6 p.m.

Girls Soccer

Class 2A First Round

Wednesday, Nov. 11

District 4 No. 2 Midd-West at District 11 No. 1 Northwestern, 5 p.m.

Boys Soccer

Class 2A First Round

Wednesday, Nov. 11

District 3 No. 2 Tulpehocken at District 11 No. 1 Northwestern, 7 p.m.

District 11 No. 2 Northern Lehigh vs. District 3 No. 1 Wyomissing Area at Exeter Township, 7 p.m.

Volleyball

Class 4A First Round

Wednesday, Nov. 11

District 11 No. 2 Northwestern at District 2 No. 1 Crestwood, 6 p.m.