San Marcos dropped the first set of its first-round road playoff match, but then reeled off three straight sets to win the contest in four frames with scores of 21-25, 27-25, 25-20 25-18.
“We were talking about it as coaching staff how critical that second game comeback was. Both teams wanted it. That team played great defense and fantastic offense but we just kept them on their heels. We just played a fantastic match,” San Marcos co-head coach Dwayne Hauschild said.
The team looked a bit flat in the first set, totaling a bunch of errors which led to their lone set loss, but really picked up the pace in the latter sets.
“They had a strong block and we made a lot of errors. It was a long drive and so we started a little cold but once we settled in and hung on in game two, games three and four we were just smashing from the service line which helped,” Hauschild said.
Junior outside hitter Taylor Wilson had a career night for the Royals, tallying 23 kills on 40 attempts and adding 16 digs and three aces.
Brynn Sofro was solid in the middle for San Marcos with nine kills, eight digs, and five blocks while Bella Johnson added 11 kills.
Grace Matthews helped a lot defensively tallying a team-high 32 digs and also adding three aces.
Passing wise, Ashley day had 28 assists while Ava Cole dished out 18. Day added eight digs and an ace while Cole had five digs and a pair of aces.
With the win, San Marcos will get to host it’s second-round match of the CIF-SS Divison 3 bracket against South Torrance at 6 p.m. on Saturday.
“I think it’s really helpful for us. Saturday games are always tough for home crowds, just because sometimes the kids don’t always hear about it but just having a home game is going to be great,” Hauschild said.
BISHOP DIEGO 3, PACIFICA CHRISTIAN 2
The Cardinals secured its first playoff win since 2002 on Thursday when they beat Pacifica Christian at home by set scores of 25-23, 26-28, 26-24, 21-25, 17-15 in the CIF-SS Division 8 bracket.
“This win was a huge step forward for our female sports, our volleyball program, and our school as a whole,” Bishop Diego coach Dillan Bennett said.
Down 13-10 in the final set, the Cardinal defense stuffed the opposition’s best hitter, then ripped off three straight points to be in the driver’s seat.
Amber Watkins was stellar for Bishop Diego tallying a double-double with 16 kills, a team high, and 14 digs while maintaining a .462 hitting clip.
Siena Urzua tallied a double-double as well with 13 kills and 10 digs while senior libero Julia Gregson had a team-high 18 digs.
As a team, the Cardinals were solid tallying 52 kills for a .309 hitting percentage and also notching 12 service aces.
Defensively, Bishop Diego totaled 49 digs and six blocks.
With the win, the Cardinals advance to the second round where they travel to face Garey High School at 6 p.m. barring any issues with the local fires around the Los Angeles area.
CERRITOS 3, SANTA BARBARA 2
Santa Barbara gave fourth-seeded Cerritos all it could handle in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 4 bracket, but the Dons came up just short of pulling off the upset losing in five sets with scores of 23-25, 25-23, 23-25, 25-19, 9-15.
“We battled tonight. It was a high-intensity game with a loud crowd. Our girls played with heart tonight. All 18 girls were extremely engaged throughout the entire match,” Santa Barbara coach Ariana Garner said.
“As coaches, we are proud of the way the season ended.”
The Dons were led by freshman Shae Delany, who was recently pulled up from JV, as she tallied 17 kills. Senior Reese Kelley added 12 while freshman Emma Zuffaleto notched 11.
Defensively, junior libero Hayden Randolph led the team with 18 digs while Charlotte Caesar had 14. Senior Anabel Caesar had three blocks in her final outing as a Don and was a key reason for stuffing Cerritos’ best hitter.
Santa Barbara’s season ends with a 7-14 overall mark.
Division 8
THACHER 3, CARPINTERIA 1
No game details were available as of press time.
GEFFEN ACADEMY 3, MIDLAND 0
No game details were available as of press time.
LA PUENTE 3, DUNN 0
No game details were available as of press time.
Email: jmercado@newspress.com
