Pitman advances to D-I volleyball section semifinal with four-set win over Folsom
The Pitman High volleyball team was in unfamiliar territory in Thursday’s quarterfinal against Folsom.
At home against the sixth-seeded Bulldogs, the Pride got off to a slow start, trailing by as many as five points late in the first set. A four-point run gave Pitman some life, but back-to-back points ended the set for Folsom, 25-21.
It was the first time all season Pitman faced an 0-1 deficit.
“We started slow but Folsom started on point and they didn’t make mistakes,” said Pitman coach Kristen Pontes-Christian, whose team is the No. 3 seed in Division I. “They controlled the first set from beginning to end. … I give them props for being ready and intense from the beginning.”
The Pride settled in, winning the next three sets to advance to the Sac-Joaquin Section semifinals with a 21-25, 25-17, 25-17, 25-13 win.
“I just told them, ‘Hey, we get to play four sets tonight,’” Pontes-Christian said. “We were calm about it and relaxed but we all knew that we had to pick it up and start playing our game.”
It started with their defense. The Pride keyed in on Addie Kannegeisser and Folsom’s middle attack.
Kannegeisser was the catalyst for the Bulldogs in the first set, but Pitman changed their blocking scheme and defensive positioning to throw Folsom’s big hitter off her game.
“We’ve never seen them play so she had to hit a few for me to know how she hits,” said Pitman middle Lauren Hamilton, who finished with 15 kills and a team-high seven blocks. “I could tell she was hitting to our setter so I just placed (my block) right over where our setter is.”
Timely offense followed as Pitman ended the second and fourth sets by scoring the final four points in each. Freshman Maryn Hall led the Pride offensively with a career-high 17 kills.
“I feel like I kind of already had some experience with the team,” said Hall, who ranks third on the team in kills. “I had to get used to the team and get comfortable with them but after that, getting those kills is just so cool.”
The Pride are in the midst of their best season since 2016 – the last year they won a section championship – but they face a tough opponent when they visit reigning Division I section champion Oak Ridge on Tuesday.
“This group of 12 very talented players have the drive and passion for competition and winning, which I truly appreciate because that is something that has been lacking for us in the postseason the past couple of seasons.” Pontes-Christian said. “Our bench and our starters, everyone needs to contribute. That’s what it’s gonna take on Tuesday because Oak Ridge is gonna be tough.”
Stanislaus District quarterfinal volleyball scores
St. Mary’s 3, Turlock 0: The Bulldogs traveled to Stockton to play the Tri-City Athletic League champion Rams in the quarterfinals Thursday. St. Mary’s showed why it was awarded the Division I first overall seed in a 25-16, 25-12, 25-19 win over Turlock, which finishes the season 18-12 overall.
Escalon 3, Nevada Union 0: The Cougars earned their 30th win this season in the Division III quarterfinals. The 25-15, 25-9, 26-24 win is their sixth straight sweep. Escalon will host fourth-seeded Ponderosa in the semifinals Tuesday.
Ponderosa 3, Oakdale 0: The Mustangs weren’t able to continue their playoff success Thursday. After winning their first postseason match in seven years, Oakdale was swept by the Bruins 25-17, 25-15, 25-18, ending its season.
Sonora 3, Orestimba 0: The eighth-seeded Warriors struggled on the road against Division IV No. 1 seed Sonora. Orestimba’s season ends after finishing second in the Southern Athletic League and winning 20 or more matches for the second time since 2017.
Central Catholic 3, Liberty Ranch 0: The Raiders went on the road for their quarterfinal match against Liberty Ranch in a No. 5 vs. No. 4 matchup. Central Catholic stayed unbeaten this postseason, sweeping the Hawks and setting up a semifinal match with top-seeded Sonora
Ripon 3, Hughson 1: Ripon advanced to 3-0 on the season against Trans-Valley League opponent Hughson. The Huskies were able to push this matchup to four sets after being swept the two previous meetings, but the Division IV second seed was too much to overcome. Ripon hosts No. 3 Sutter next Tuesday.
Ripon Christian 3, Stone Ridge Christian 0: The Knights swept their way to a semifinal matchup with fifth-seeded Bear River for the second straight season. Ripon Christian beat Stone Ridge Christian Thursday in the quarterfinals in straight sets, 25-12, 25-5, 25-13.
Big Valley Christian 3, Vacaville Christian 0: The Lions showed no signs of rust after receiving a bye in the first round of the Division V playoffs. Vacaville Christian put up a fight in all three sets but Big Valley’s experience showed as it won 25-21, 25-23, 26-24.
This story was originally published October 28, 2022 at 12:57 PM.
