Volleyball Roundup: El Capitan girls opens playoffs with convincing sweep of Rodriguez
The El Capitan High girls volleyball team cruised in their playoff opened, sweeping No. 12 Rodriguez 25-15, 25-9, 25-14 in the first round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II playoff game at the Stable Center on Tuesday night.
The fifth-seeded Gauchos will travel to No. 4 Del Oro on Thursday. The Golden Eagles defeated Woodcreek 25-16, 25-15, 25-27, 25-16 on Tuesday.
“We started off a tad slower then we would liked, but our girls regrouped fast and pushed on the gas pedal from there,” said El Capitan coach Chela Moreno. “We played so well and together after that.”
Hanna Moradzadeh paced the Gauchos (28-4) with 14 kills, 10 digs and one ace. Gianna Veldhuis added five kills, eight digs and two aces, Reese Cuttone and Chloe Grever both chipped in with five kills and Sophie Fernandez finished with five digs, 14 assists and six aces.
“When our girls play relaxed, together, and have fun it’s truly amazing to see what they can do, it’s something special,” Moreno said.
El Capitan setter Wendy Vang finished with 16 assists and libero Leah Mendoza added 12 digs and three aces.
The Gauchos now have their focus on trying to advance past the second round.
“We have talked about it from the beginning of the season, get to playoffs and making past the second round, something we have never been able to do,” Moreno said. “Our girls are still set on that and are will to put in the extra work for it. Our whole team really wants it, especially our seniors.”
Rio Americano 3, Golden Valley 0 — The No. 14 seeded Cougars saw their season end with a 25-22, 25-19, 25-23 loss to the No. 3 Raiders in the Division II playoffs.
Golden Valley finishes the season with a 23-10 record.
Stone Ridge Christian 3, Woodland Christian 0 — The No. 8 seeded Knights opened the Division IV playoffs with a 25-15, 25-22, 25-20 win over the No. 9 Cardinals.
Stone Ridge Christian (19-13) will face top-seeded Ripon Christian on Thursday in the quarterfinals.
Vacaville Christian 3, Le Grand 0 — The No. 11 Bulldogs were swept in three games, 25-17, 25-23, 25-21 by No. 6 Vacaville Christian.
Le Grand finished the season with a 10-17 record.
