The Central boys volleyball team is one win away from its first trip to the WIAA State Tournament.

The state-ranked Falcons can gain a spot in the eight-team event with a win over Middleton in a sectional final tonight.

The match at Burlington High School begins at 7 p.m.

Coach Jim Schultz’s Central team advanced to the sectional final for the first time by toppling rival and longtime nemesis Burlington in a semifinal match Tuesday. The Falcons’ 25-21, 26-24, 25-20 sweep was the program’s in three tries over Burlington in the sectional semifinal round.

Second-seeded Central is 27-6-2 and has won seven in a row and 10 of its last 11. The Falcons were ranked 10th in the latest state coaches poll.

Two of Central’s six losses this season came at the hands of top-seeded and third-ranked Middleton.

The teams met at the Sept. 19 Wauwatosa East Invite and the Sept. 26 Dave Hash Invitational at Kaukana with Middleton winning 2-0 each time.

The 21-3 Cardinals, champions of the Big Eight Conference, advanced to tonight’s round by sweeping Madison Memorial in a sectional semifinal after a first round bye.

Tonight’s winner advances to the State Tournament, which is Nov. 13-14 at Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee.

Middleton is after its fifth State appearance and fourth in a row. The Cardinals were semifinalists a year ago.