First Round Regionals Are Higher Seed Delight In Women's Volleyball
The eight Women's Volleyball Regional Playoff first round matchups featured possibilities for upsets, but the higher seeds all prevailed on Saturday night.
That sets up Tuesday's 16 second round contests throughout the state.
The second round winners move on to four regional finals in both the North and South on Saturday, Nov. 30.
TUESDAY, NOV. 26
SOUTH (higher seeds host)
No. 1 Long Beach City College v. #16 Bakersfield
No. 2 San Diego Mesa v. #15 Ventura
No. 3 Moorpark v. No. 14 San Bernardino Valley
No. 4 LA Mission v. No. 13 Saddleback
No. 5 Orange Coast v. No. 12 Canyons
No. 6 Cerritos v. No. 11 Grossmont
No. 7 Santa Barbara CC v. No. 10 Mt. San Antonio
No. 8 Palomar v. No. 9 Santa Monica
NORTH
No. 1 Fresno CC v. No. 16 Ohlone
No. 2 American River v. No. 15 Santa Rosa JC
No. 3 San Joaquin Delta v. No. 14 West Valley
No. 4 Sierra v. No. 13 Cosumnes River
No. 5 Taft v. No. 12 Hartnell
No. 6 Feather River v. No. 11 Coalinga
No. 7 Solano v. No. 10 Shasta
No. 8 San Mateo v. No. 9 Merced
SOUTH ROUND 1 RECAPS
No. 13 Saddleback College 3, No. 20 Pasadena City 1, 28-26, 25-22, 22-25, 25-23: In the closest of the matches, the Bobcats rallied from deficits of 18-13 down in set 1, 17-11 behind in set 2, and 7-1 in the final set to win this regional. Leading the way for Saddleback (18-6) were Meg Gardner with 21 kills and 10 digs and Sophie Vienna totaling 46 set assists, 17 digs and three kills. A South Coast Conference Co-North Division champion, PCC (16-13) had big performances from Biko Hollie (22 kills, 18 digs) and libero Emily Licon's 32 digs, giving her the school record for digs in a season at 398.
No. 14 San Bernardino Valley 3, No. 19 Riverside City 1, 25-16, 25-18, 16-25, 25-12: The Inland Empire Athletic Conference co-champion Wolverines (18-7) win their first postseason match in 22 years Manaia Mamea's 23 kills (hit .463) and 13 digs. Twin sister Loleaulelei Mamea added 15 kills, four blocks and three aces. SBVC avenged a season-opening, 4-set loss to the Tigers. For Riverside (17-10), Kilyn Hayes was the team's top player this season, averaging a state 10th best 4.41 kills.
No. 15 Ventura 3, No. 18 Mt. San Jacinto 0, 26-24, 25-18, 26-24: The Pirates (16-9) changed the course of the match with a furious rally from down set point at 24-19 as Shai Daniels serve three consecutive aces as part of a 7-0 run and VC went on to sweep the IEAC co-champ Eagles (17-10). Daniels scored 10 kills and had 18 digs while Tahlia Behrens added eight kills and four blocks. MSJC was paced this year by Megan Gajda, who averaged 3.71 kills.
No. 16 Bakersfield 3, No. 17 MiraCosta 1, 25-18, 25-17, 21-25, 25-10: The Renegades (17-10) were paced by their Third Team All-American in Stevie Yursik, who scored 10 of her 16 kills (plus 12 digs) in the opening two sets, as they eliminate the Spartans. Also for Bakersfield, Kamryn Briggs pounded 14 kills with 16 digs and Alexandra Watts hit .500 on 12 kills and made five blocks. Mira Costa (14-10) was led this year by PCAC kills leader Daysha Halbert, who averaged 4.27 kills per set.
NORTH ROUND 1 RECAPS
No. 13 Cosumnes River 3, No. 20 Los Medanos 0, 25-20, 25-21, 25-20: The Hawks (17-12) swept the Mustangs behind a near triple-double by Nicole Risch, who totaled nine kills, 14 assists and 11 digs, and Abigail Siever with 11 kills and three blocks. Ella Cline also was solid with six kills, 20 assists, and she was one of five CRC players to reach double digits in digs (12). LMC (15-16) got 10 kills and 14 digs from Maddie Kruse.
No. 14 West Valley 3, No. 19 Modesto 1, 25-20, 25-21, 18-25, 25-16: Coast South Player of the Year Sophie Ehret eclipsed the 500-kill mark for the season by powering 32 kills (.319) and defending well with 19 digs as the Vikings advance over the Pirates (14-16). Francesca Zanotti didn't have to think who to set in this win as she dished out 47 assists. Alicia Souza (14 kills, 16 digs) and Elise Vaifale (12 kills) led Modesto.
No. 15 Santa Rosa 3, No. 18 Sequoias 1, 25-14, 18-25, 26-24, 25-15: Tied 1-1 in sets, the Bear Cubs (14-16) pull out the key third set win in extra points and went on to defeat the Giants (16-15). Katie Brenninger delivered 16 kills in 41 swings and Madison Shaw scored 10 kills. For COS, Vianka Martinez slammed 22 kills and Allison Wood tallied 20 digs.
No. 16 Ohlone 3, Monterey Peninsula 1, 25-20, 25-18, 19-25, 25-16: Led by 17 kills by Hannah Issenmann, the Renegades (23-7) advance with the 4-set triumph. Ruby Santos had key service runs to start the first two sets while Kayle Gomes led the defense on 19 digs. For the Lobos (15-7), Lydia Schwimmer landed 10 kills and Lindsey Timm served four aces.