Sports Briefs: Regional final on tap for Glendale Adventist volleyball
Glendale Adventist girls’ volleyball on cusp of area history
Since the advent of the CIF Girls’ Volleyball State Championships in 1978, no area team has ever won or even advanced to a final.
Tiny Glendale Adventist Academy, however, is one step away.
The Southern California top-seeded Cougars (24-5) will host No. 2 San Diego Maranatha Christian (32-1) on Saturday evening in the CIF State Division V Regional Finals at Providence High at 7.
A victory would continue what has already been a historic run for Glendale Adventist, which would punch its ticket to the state finals on Dec. 1 at Orange’s Santiago Canyon College.
“It’s really exciting and obviously we’re having a lot of fun,” Glendale Adventist coach Gared Luquet said. “No one wants to stop, but we know we’re going against even tougher competition.”
The Cougars won their first playoff match on Halloween and have won seven straight postseason contests, including a 3-1 victory over Santa Clarita Christian on Nov. 10 at Cerritos College for the CIF Southern Section Division IX title.
The championship was the first in school history.
Since then, the Cougars have defeated Maywood CES (3-0) on Saturday and Riverside Carnegie Schools (3-1) on Tuesday following a first-round bye.
Maranatha Christian enters as the CIF San Diego Section Division IV champion.
Four Gaels notch all-league awards
When the Holy Family volleyball season concluded in the CIF Southern Section Division IX second round with a five-game loss to Southlands Christian, Gaels coach Robert Bringas Jr. was able to realize just how far his team had come despite a nailbiting loss.
“It was an amazing season and we got so much accomplished,” Bringas told the News-Press on Nov. 2. “It’s basically been a two-year process to get to this point and we’ve definitely come such a long way in a short time.”
Holy Family posted a 17-11 mark, finished second in the Horizon League, returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2011 and advanced to the second round.
It’s likely none of that would have been possible without sophomore Meghann Velasquez, freshman Kaylee Hernandez, junior Michelle Barraza and senior Rosy Castro.
The quartet was recently rewarded with All-Horizon League honors, with Hernandez and Velasquez netting first-team recognition and Castro and Barraza notching second-team accolades.
Velasquez, an outside hitter, had a strong season all-around with 296 kills, 433 digs and 45 aces. She reached double-digits in kills in 17 matches and had 15 double-doubles.
“This year, communication was key to our success and I think that I did a great job of communicating where to hit or what the other team was doing against us,” Velasquez said. “Chemistry among the team was also important and I was able to help build that as the captain.”
Hernandez, a defensive specialist/libero, had an astounding 717 digs, including 40 or more in five matches. She added 39 aces and 47 assists.
“It was fun and exciting to play on this team,” Hernandez said. “I am happy that I was able to help pick up the team with my defense and they helped me to be a better player, too.”
Castro, a setter/defensive specialist, had 232 assists, 146 digs, 22 aces and 21 kills. Barraza, a setter/opposite, had 357 assists, 260 digs, 36 aces, 61 kills and 19 total blocks.
Rebels secure league recognition
A trio of Flintridge Prep girls’ volleyball players were bestowed with All-Prep League accolades.
Junior outside hitter Courtney Johnson picked up first-team honors. Johnson collected 149 digs, 142 kills and 42 aces.
“She’s always come up big offensively, but she really improved on defense and in the leadership role,” said Flintridge Prep coach Sean Beattie, whose team finished 13-10, 4-8 in league for fifth place.
Junior outside hitter Libby Penn and sophomore libero Ellen Chang received second-team honors.
Penn finished with 172 kills and 154 digs. Chang had 360 digs and 45 aces.