Successful season wraps up for upstart Holy Family in second round
GLENDALE — A few minutes after seeing its playoff journey end in heartbreaking fashion, the Holy Family volleyball team gathered behind a stage curtain inside the Pacific Park Community Center.
As the Gaels emerged from their team meeting, they were met with warm applause from the remaining contingent and their opposition.
The building blocks appear in place for Holy Family, which saw Southlands Christian rally for a 25-23, 19-25, 20-25, 25-19, 15-11 CIF Southern Section Division IX second-round win Thursday.
Holy Family (17-11) made its first postseason appearance since 2011 after finishing second in the Horizon League.
“It was an amazing season and we got so much accomplished,” Holy Family coach Robert Bringas Jr. said. “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.
“The future looks bright for our team and we’ve gained a lot of great experience. We nearly pulled it off against a very good team tonight.”
Holy Family, which posted a first-round victory against Dunn on Tuesday, appeared on the verge of lengthening its playoff stay. However, Southlands Christian (20-7) turned to its experienced players to turn aside the Gaels.
The Eagles, who placed second in the Express Gold League, received a match-high 25 kills from Gabbie Parayno. Parayno had six kills in the fifth set.
“She’s our captain and she really stepped it up in the last set,” Southlands Christian coach Laura Browder said. “We were able to regain our focus in the fourth set and that helped a lot going into the last set.
“Both teams were outstanding. Holy Family showed great hustle and effort and we were challenged by that. They made us earn everything we got and I respect Holy Family for that.”
The Gaels overcame an 11-8 deficit in the fifth set, tying it on an ace by Michelle Barraza. The Eagles then got a kill from Parayno, a senior outside hitter, to make it 12-11 and she later added her final kill to extend the lead to 14-11 before the Eagles closed it out on a hitting error near the net.
Holy Family got 38 digs and 13 kills from sophomore outside hitter Meghann Velasquez, 22 digs and 17 assists from senior setter Rosy Castro, 29 digs and seven kills from senior outside hitter Melanie Ibarra and five kills and four blocks from junior middle blocker Cyndel Lopez.
A kill by Parayno gave the Eagles a 19-14 lead in the fourth set. The Gaels could get no closer than 22-18 on a kill by Lopez.
Holy Family went on a 9-0 run in the third set to build a 19-13 lead. Velasquez and senior middle blocker Isabella Peregrino each had three kills in that stretch.
A kill by Velasquez gave the Gaels a 15-13 lead in the second set. After the Eagles pulled to within 20-18, the Gaels finished up on a 5-1 run to even the match at one set apiece.
Holy Family tied the first set at 23 before two straight kills by Southland Christian’s Nadine Oronoz clinched the win.
“We worked hard throughout the season to get here,” Velasquez said. “We gave it all we had and it’s a great learning experience.
“It was a fast, back-and-forth match with a lot of speed. We now know what to expect in the future.”
Twitter: @TCNCharlesRich
