Volleyball: Cardinal Newman rallies for five sets in the first round of the state tournament

NorCal Volleyball

Division 2: No. 11 Cardinal Newman 3, No. 6 San Joaquin Memorial 2

After dropping the first two sets, the Cardinals came back to secure a thrilling five-set victory in the first round of the CIF NorCal Division 2 state playoffs. Tuesday 27-29, 16- 25, 25-20, 25 -22 and 15-13.

It is the first playoff win for Cardinal Newman (30-8) in program history and sends the Cardinals to the second round. They return to the Central Valley on Thursday for a second-round matchup with three-seed Buchanan (27-12)

“It was a great performance to come back from 0-2 and do a reverse sweep,” said Cardinal Newman head coach Daryl Kapis. “It really showed how much heart and great team chemistry we have.”

Julia Waller recorded a triple-double of 11 kills, 22 assists and 16 digs, while Summer Binder led the charge with 24 kills. Cienna Alvarez added 14 kills with four aces, Zoe Bardis had 10 kills, Kimberly Wilson had 29 assists, while Giana Tamayo (14 digs) and Elizabeth Danley (11 digs) each had double figures.

“I’m super proud of the whole team who worked super hard to fight back after losing the first two sets,” Waller said. “Our backs did a fantastic job and kept us in the system. I am super excited to move on to our next match against Buchanan in Fresno.”

Division 4: No. 8 Soquel 3, No. 9 Vintage 1

The Crushers’ season ended in their first-round match on Tuesday, 19-25, 21-25, 25-13, 18-25.

Vintage, which captured the NCS Division 4 title last week – its first section title since 2003 – ends the season at 16-17 overall and is expected to graduate just three seniors.

Division 4: No. 3 Fresno Christian 3, No. 14 Rancho Cotate 0

The Cougars also saw their season end in the first round in a three-set sweep, 23-25, 18-25, 12-25.

Rancho Cotate, which finished second in the NCS Division 4 playoffs, ends the year at 19-15 overall.

NCS flay football

No. 9 Heritage 27, No. 8 Petaluma 26

After an undefeated regular season, the Trojans dropped their NCS playoff opener to the Patriots on Tuesday.

Petaluma, the only local team to make the first NCS flag football playoffs, finished the season at 13-1.

NCS tennis

Division 1: No. 1 Miramonte 7, No. 16 Maria Carrillo 0

The Pumas were one-and-done in the NCS Division 1 team tournament on Tuesday with a straight-sets sweep of top-seeded Miramonte.

Maria Carrillo was this year’s North Bay League champion.

Division 2: No. 9 Justin-Siena 5, College Prep 1

The Braves won their game of the NCS Division 2 playoffs on Tuesday to play 1 seed University on Thursday in the quarterfinals.

No. 2 singles Naveena Jackson won 6-3, 6-2 and No. 3 singles Lyla Hogan won 6-2, 6-0 to secure two convincing wins, while No. 4 singles Michaeli Pucci won 7-5, 6 secured -0. 2 win. No. 1 singles Bryan Hogan’s match with College Prep’s Sophia Bitton was called a draw due to darkness with a final score of 7-6 (7-2), 5-5.

In doubles, No. 1 Olivia Mazzucco and Giulia Baldini rallied for three sets, 4-6, 6-0, 1-0 (11-9), and No. 2 June Kelly and Anna Tompkins won 6-2 , 6-3.

College Prep took No. 3 doubles 6-2, 4-6, 6-2.

YYou can reach staff writer Gus Morris at 707-304-9372 or [email protected]. On X (Twitter) @JustGusPD.