Volleyball playoff notes: Late-season matches give playoff feel; local stat leaders shine
Ripon and Hilmar played in a high-intensity season finale Thursday, Oct. 24 in what could be a Division IV championship preview. Ripon swept the Trans-Valley League match, en route to a perfect league record.
The Indians (26-2) and Yellowjackets (24-8) each qualified for the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs as the No. 1 and No. 3 seeds, respectively, and could meet with a section title on the line Nov. 9 at Cosumnes River College if they win their first three playoff matches.
When the new realignment cycle was finalized, the TVL’s football gauntlet was the talk of the Stanislaus District. What people weren’t talking about was that volleyball in the TVL immediately became that much more competitive as well. The league welcomed Ripon Christian from the Southern League, a back-to-back state champion and a defending four-time section champ. It also welcomed Sonora from the Mother Lode League which is not far removed from playing in a section title match. Orestimba, a team with years of postseason success, also joined from the SL. This year, every team from the TVL qualified for the playoffs across Divisions III and IV.
Here is a look at more storylines entering this season’s playoffs, including historic playoff qualifications and lists highlighting local stat leaders heading into Tuesday’s first-round matches.
CCAL champ Pitman had good tune-ups
Pitman finished the season as undefeated Central California Athletic League champions for the third straight season, but it did not come without some tests. The Pride won back-to-back five-set matches against Turlock and Downey on Oct. 8 and 10, respectively which head coach Ari Amini says was just what they needed heading into what they hope will be a long postseason run.
The Pride were the Stanislaus District’s highest ranked team nearly all season. Entering the playoffs, MaxPreps has them slotted at No. 8 in the entire Sac-Joaquin Section. They are the second highest local team in the rankings, behind No. 5 Ripon.
Pitman kicks off the D-I playoffs Tuesday as the No. 6 seed. They host Cosumnes Oaks in the first round.
Davis makes postseason for first time since 2004-05
Davis High is in the postseason for the first time since 2004. The Spartans finished 10-9 overall and 8-5 in the Western Athletic Conference, good for third. The Spartans were ranked No. 18 in Division II and will compete in Monday’s play-in. They travel to Stockton to face No. 15 McNair at 6 p.m.
Downey in postseason for first time since 2021
Downey for the first time since 2021 has qualified for the section playoffs. The young team that features just three seniors finished the regular season 26-12, recording more than 10 overall wins for the first time since 2021 as well.
The knights finished second in CCAL play thanks in large part to a three-match win streak to end league play where they swept Enochs, Turlock and and Modesto.
The Knights earned the No. 10-seed in Division I and travel to St. Francis of Sacramento on Tuesday’s opening round.
Local first-round home games
The CIF Sac-Joaquin Section on Friday released the 2024 playoff brackets that featured play-in and first-round matchups. Play-in matches for Divisions are Monday, Oct. 28 at 6 p.m. and first-round matchups are Tuesday. Here are the Stanislaus District teams with first-round home games:
Division I
No. 9 Davis at No. 8 Turlock
No. 11 Cosumnes Oaks at No. 6 Pitman
Division III
No. 12 Nevada Union at No. 5 Central Catholic
No. 13 Lathrop at No. 4 Ripon Christian
No. 11 Placer at No. 6 Escalon
Division IV
Lindhurst/Woodland at No. 1 Ripon
No. 14 Ben Holt College Prep Academy at No. 3 Hilmar
Division V
No. 16 River Islands at No. 1 Big Valley Christian
Local stat leaders entering playoffs
Some of the best volleyball players in the Sac-Joaquin Section hope to lead Stanislaus District teams to deep postseason runs. Here’s how some of the area’s best players rank among the top 15 in the section in major statistical categories:
Hitting percentage
No. 8 Lauren Parker, Turlock (0.377)
No. 9 Maryn Hall, Pitman (0.359)
No. 14 Jorie Eskes, Ripon (0.332)
No. 15 Mia Ngo, Pitman (0.329)
Kills
No. 1 Jordan Beers, Big Valley Christian (553)
No. 3 Izzy Watson, Downey (431)
No. 4 Maryn Hall, Pitman (430)
No. 15 Paige Van Hofwegen, Ripon Christian (325)
Assists
No. 3 Alanna Blanco, Ripon Christian (899)
No. 4 Danica Zamora, Pitman (894)
No. 5 Stella Pires, Hilmar (774)
No. 6 Izzy Altadonna, Downey (750)
No. 11 Katelyn Bogetti, Ripon (584)
Aces
No. 1 Jordan Beers, Big Valley Christian (102)
No. 9 Izzy Watson, Downey (93)
Digs
No. 1 Aila Reich, Pitman (581)
No. 6 Teygan Horstmeier, Hilmar (409)
No. 10 Anneke Dyt, Ripon Christian (369)
No. 11 \u0009Kayliyah Williams, Pitman (366)
No. 14 Maryn Hall, Pitman (352)
