Volleyball playoff roundup: Ripon, Ripon Christian D-III wins highlight quarterfinals
Ripon and Ripon Christian, the top two ranked teams in Division III, swept their quarterfinals matchups, continuing their crash course to the D-III title game, which will be Saturday, Nov. 8 at 3 p.m. at a location that will be announced soon.
In total, all five Stanislaus District teams from the Trans-Valley League earned wins as Hughson and Hilmar swept their opponents in Divisions IV and V, respectively and Escalon won its matchup in four sets.
Big Valley Christian also claimed a win over former league rival Stone Ridge Christian.
Every Sac-Joaquin Section team that makes at least the semifinals becomes eligible for the CIF Northern California Regional tournament that begins after the Nov. 8 section title games.
Three-time undefeated Central California Athletic League champion Pitman fell in straight sets in a rematch against St. Mary’s. The Pride, ranked No. 5 in Division I, made the trip to Stockton to play the fourth-ranked Rams in Thursday’s quarterfinals. The two teams played earlier this season in a non-league match and Pitman took St. Mary’s to five sets.
2025 Sac-Joaquin Section quarterfinals scores
Division I
No. 4 St. Mary’s 3, No. 5 Pitman 0: The Pride’s second matchup this season against St. Mary’s ended in a 25-23, 25-10, 25-18 loss, ending their season one round short of a NorCal berth. Pitman finishes with a 27-10 overall record, its fourth-straight season with over 25 wins.
Division III
No. 1 Ripon 3, No. 8 Oakdale 0: Ripon advanced to 27-4 overall with its 25-17, 25-20, 26-24 quarterfinals win. During its six-match win streak, Ripon has dropped just one set. Ripon and No. 4 Roseville face off in Ripon next Tuesday with a spot in the final on the line.
No. 2 Ripon Christian 3, No. 10 Los Banos 0: The Knights earned their second-straight D-III playoff sweep this season, winning 25-11, 25-14, 26-7. Ripon Christian hosts three-seed Christian Brothers Nov. 4.
Division IV
No. 4 Escalon 3, No. 5 El Dorado 1: The Cougars advanced to the semifinals for the first time under third-year head coach Shaylynn Beam with Thursday’s 18-25, 25-19, 25-22, 25-9 home win. Escalon sees a familiar foe in TVL opponent Sonora, the division’s top seed in next Tuesday’s semis.
No. 3 Hughson 3, No. 6 Union Mine 0: The Huskies secured their second playoff sweep 25-17, 25-23, 25-18, advancing past the second round for the first time in over a decade. Hughson travels to No. 2 West Campus Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Division V
No. 2 Hilmar 3, No. 7 Futures 0: The Yellowjackets are back in the section semifinals for the second-straight season after their 25-15, 25-15, 25-15 win. Hilmar hosts No. 2 Sutter next week in the semifinals.
Division VI
No. 1 Big Valley Christian 3, No. 8 Stone Ridge Christian 1: The Lions kept their winning streak alive with a 25-15, 13-25, 25-20, 25-7 win. The Lions host No. 5 Woodland Tuesday in the section semifinals riding six-straight victories.
SJS Semifinals matchups (Nov. 4 at 6 p.m.)
Division III
No. 4 Roseville at No. 1 Ripon
No. 3 Christian Brothers at No. 2 Ripon Christian
Division IV
No. 4 Escalon at No. 1 Sonora
No. 3 Hughson at No. 2 West Campus
Division V
No. 3 Sutter at No. 2 Hilmar
Division VI
No. 5 Woodland at No. 1 Big Valley Christian
