SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sixth-seeded St. Francis recorded a 3-1 win over No. 11 Valley Christian to advance to the second round of the CIF Northern California regionals on Tuesday.
"I am real proud of them because we were down literally three starters," said Head Coach Alynn Wright. "We had to move to a 5-1 which we have practiced but not a lot. I was proud of Jesiree Moral stepping up and running the offense the way she did."
Moral led the team with 37 assists and recorded 21 digs with a team best 14 points on serve.
"As a team we battled," said Wright. "At a couple moments we could have folded. They put their shoulders forward and went after it. They played some tenacious defense and came alive at the net with their blocking which was very helpful."
St. Francis won the opening set 25-22 but lost a close set in the second 27-25. But they took control in the third with a fast start in the set to win easily 25-17.
"In the third set when we took control we got a few blocks that made their hitters change a little bit and gave us more confidence," said Wright. "I was really proud of all the kids tonight."
Junior Alexa Edwards led the team with 23 kills and team-best tying 22 digs. Senior Sam Chavez added 22 digs for the team.
"Our coverage was working really well," said Chavez. "We were trying to back up our hitters so they felt really confident in their hits."
St. Francis closed out the match in the fourth 25-19, completing the opening round win.
"It feels amazing," said sophomore Kiley Kane. "Our whole team came together really good and put in all the work to make it."
The win avenged a NorCal loss at Valley Christian two years ago that ended the Troubie season one match short of the NorCal final.
"We are going to do everything in our power to get to the state championship and get the banner on the wall," said Kane.
St. Francis will travel to No. 3 Campolindo on Thursday.
2018 CIF Girls State Championships – Division I
No. 1 Foothill def. Notre Dame 3-2
No. 8 Rocklin def. No. 9 St. Mary's 3-2
No. 12 Archbishop Mitty def. Oak Ridge 3-2
No. 4 Amador Valley def. No. 13 Menlo-Atherton 3-1
No. 3 Campolindo def. No. 14 Menlo School 3-2
No. 6 St. Francis def. No. 11 Valley Christian 3-1
No. 7 California def. No. 10 Pleasant Grove 3-1
No. 2 Bishop O'Dowd def. St. 15. Saint Francis 3-1
