Volleyball Playoff Roundup: Beyer falls to Hilmar at home; Central Catholic, Escalon, Ripon advance
Hilmar volleyball coach Patti Harris knew her team was facing a big hurdle in its Sac-Joaquin Section Division III playoff opener against Beyer.
The Patriots went 14-0 in the Western Athletic Conference and had not lost a match since mid-September in securing the No. 6 seed. Hilmar, meanwhile, ended the regular-season with a loss to Ripon and finished third in the tough Trans-Valley League.
“I told the girls, anything can happen (in the playoffs),” Hilmar coach Patti Harris said. “You just have to go out there, do your best, give 100% and play together as a team and (the team) really did that tonight.”
Sophia Alamo had a team-high 14 kills as the Yellowjackets (14-11) beat the host Patriots 25-20, 25-16-25-20 to advance to Thursday’s second round, where it will take on No. 3-seed Manteca (25-6), which beat Los Banos 3-0.
Captain Addy Garst facilitated the Hilmar offense with 37 assists and senior Dina Mancebo finished with 22 digs.
Beyer, according to its first-year coach Melinda Freeman, could not overcome a struggling service game and a lack of communication.
The Patriots, who pulled off big victories this season against Downey and Gregori, finished the year 20-3.
No. 9 Davis 3, No. 8 Pitman 2: The Pride started strong at home but dropped three straight sets after taking a 2-0 lead, losing the fifth set 15-6.
No. 4 Pleasant Grove 3, No. 13 Downey 0: In their first playoff appearance since 2007, the Knights fell on the road to Pleasant Grove in straight sets. The Eagles were led by seniors Jade Light, who finished with 19 kills and Savannah Risley, who had 31 assists.
No. 6 St. Mary’s 3, No. 11 Turlock 0: The Rams proved to be too much for the Bulldogs in their first-round matchup. Turlock lost in straight sets, 25-8, 25-19, 25-18.
No. 2 Whitney 3, No. 15 Oakdale 0: After beating McNair in straight sets in Monday’s play-in match, the Mustangs (9-9) traveled to Rocklin to play Whitney (13-10). Despite solid efforts from the visitors in all three sets, the host Wildcats swept Oakdale, 25-16, 25-17, 25-17. Junior Katelyn Cochran had 14 kills and 14 assists and senior Jesse Camarillo had 23 digs for Whitney.
No. 5 Central Catholic 3, No. 12 Lathrop 0: The fifth ranked Raiders wasted no time against the Spartans. Central Catholic advances to the quarterfinals, where they will play fourth ranked Vanden (20-7) in Fairfield.
No. 1 Escalon 3, No. 16 Marysville 0: The Cougars looked like the No. 1 team in Division VI, making quick work of the 16 seed Indians, 25-10, 28-8, 25-11. They will play the eight seed, Dixon, after they beat Colfax 3-1.
No. 3 Ripon 3, No. 14 Galt 0: The Indians won their first-round playoff game in straight sets, 25-16, 25-14, 25-17. They host Calaveras (20-11) in the auarterfinals on Thursday, Oct. 28 at 7 p.m.
No. 2 Sonora, No. 15 Venture Academy 0: The host Wildcats easily beat No. 15 Venture Academy 25-8, 25-16, 25-16. They host Liberty Ranch, who upset seventh seeded Woodland Christian 3-1.
No. 2 Bret Harte 3, No. 15 Delta 0: The Bullfrogs easily beat visiting Saints, 25-5 25-7, 25-11 in their first round game. They host seven seed Le Grand on Thursday at 7 p.m.
No. 1 Ripon Christian: Had a bye in the first round. The Knights will play the winner of John Adams Academy/Delta Carter in the quarterfinals.
