NATOMAS, Calif. – The St. Francis volleyball team lost to Oak Ridge in an exciting five-set match 21-25, 27-25, 25-17, 22-25, 16-14 as the Trojans won the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I title.

"The first rule is to lose with grace and win with dignity," said Head Coach Alynn Wright. "I knew they were disappointed. They wanted those (section championship) hats desperately. They fought and we had two very good teams scratching and clawing for that banner. They should be proud of what they have accomplished so far this season."

St. Francis (32-5) won the first set 25-21 and led in the second before the Trojans rallied to the take the set. Oak Ridge then won the third set to take the lead. But SF gained momentum in the third set with improved play down the stretch of the set.

"They play with a lot of heart and desire," said Wright of her team. "They believe they can come back and they tried to come back in the third set. It set the momentum for the fourth set."

SF pulled out a 25-22 win in the fourth to tie the match, setting up the final set for the match. Both teams exchanged points with the Troubadours pulling ahead late but they were unable to get the final point to clinch the match before losing 16-14.

St. Francis has earned a berth in the CIF Northern California regionals. The bracket will be announced on Sunday afternoon at 5 p.m. with potential games on Tuesday or Wednesday next week.

"We are done yet, we are not finished and we are still in it," said Wright. "They can't give up hope on that the next thing that they want to try to achieve. Hats off to Oak Ridge. They played a heck of a match tonight. They played a little looser. We played with something to lose."

St. Francis was selected to the CIF NorCal Open division last season, losing in the first round to eventual state champion Archbishop Mitty.