Holy Family volleyball Dunn with first round, on to second

GLENDALE — Holy Family had little trouble prevailing in its CIF Southern Section Divison IX girls’ volleyball first-round match to begin its first playoff trip since 2011.

The Gaels showed superior play en route to a 25-20, 25-18, 25-10 victory over visiting Dunn of Los Olivos Tuesday night at Pacific Park.

The win marks the fifth straight for the Gaels, who were led by 14 kills by co-captain Meghann Velasquez.

Aside from the first 22 points of the first game, which saw eight tie scores, Holy Family (17-10) was dominant and will now face Arrowhead Christian or Big Bear on Thursday in the second round.

“It’s our first time in the playoffs in a while and a lot of the players haven’t played in a playoff match, so we wouldn’t know the feeling,” said Velasquez, who also tallied three aces. “We came out a little nervous but then started to play like every other game. We started playing with energy.”

After Dunn tied it up at 11 in the first game, Holy Family scored five straight to create separation and ensure there wouldn’t be another tie, as it led the rest of the way by at least three points.

A quick 12-5 start to the second game thanks to a 6-0 run prompted a Dunn timeout, but Holy Family’s fast start was too much to overcome.

From there on, Velasquez, Michelle Barraza (16 assists and four kills) and the Gaels controlled the game, leading by as many as eight. Earlier, Dunn brought the deficit within three at 18-15, only to give up six of the next seven points.

Melanie Ibarra used one of her seven kills to put the game away and give Holy Family a commanding two-game lead.

A deflated Dunn squad couldn’t find the energy in the third and succumbed to another quick start by the Gaels, who scored 10 of the first 14 points.

“A lot of our success is due to our defense,” Gaels coach Robert Bringas Jr. said. “Making sure we’re on the ball and covering the ball.”

With the first match of the playoffs behind them, the Gaels are feeling confident going into the second round on Thursday.

“They’re living off of this,” Bringas, Jr. said. “They’re confident they can compete. We’re feeling a good high and are ready to go.”