Following its four-set win at Quartz Hill on Thursday, the San Marcos High girls volleyball team earned a chance to host the second round of the CIF-SS Division 3 bracket on Saturday. The Royals will welcome South Torrance, the Pioneer League’s No. 1 seed, who also won on Thursday in four sets for a match at 6 p.m.
San Marcos (20-6) has been nothing short of spectacular since late Septemeber when the team took part in the annual Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions.
At the invitation, the Royals beat San Diego Westview in five sets, upset second-seeded San Clemente in four, and defeated Corona Del Mar to advance to the championship for the first time in at least 15 years.
In the title game, San Marcos lost to Division-I opponent Mira Costa, who is playing its own second-round match on Saturday in the Division 1 Bracket.
The Royals have not lost since, however, winners of 10 straight, including a win over Dos Pueblos which allowed them to earn a share of the Channel League title.
Junior outside hitter Taylor Wilson has been great offensively for the Royals, tallying at least 16 kills in three of her last four matches. Against Quartz Hill, she had a career night with 23 on 40 attempts. Bella Johnson has averaged 9.6 kills per match over her last three.
Senior Libero Grace Matthews has also been a stout player on the defensive end, tallying nearly 35 digs per match in her last four outings. Middle blocker Brynn Sofro has also been great as she had five blocks against Quartz Hill and has averaged about nine kills in her last four matches.
And, in the setting department, Ava Cole and Ashley Day have combined to dish out 85 assists in the teams’ last two outings.
San Marcos will have a tough match on Saturday, however, as South Torrance (27-9) has three middle blockers at least 6’0” tall including Jennifer Wroblicky who is 6’5”. The Spartans have also won 11 straight coming into the contest.
In other CIF-SS girls volleyball action, No. 2 seeded Cate and Laguna Blanca are still alive in the Division 6 bracket.
Cate, who swept Duarte in the first round, will travel to face West Valley at 5 p.m. on Saturday while Laguna Blanca will host again in the second round and welcomes Mary Star High for a match at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
In the Division 8 bracket, Bishop Diego will be on the road following its first playoff win since 2002 on Thursday when the Cardinals won in five sets. Bishop will be facing Garey High School at 6 p.m. on Saturday.
Finally, Thacher, who beat Carpinteria in four sets on Thursday, will host Oakwood at 6 p.m. on Saturday.
