The Sports Informant

I promised in the print edition to update our readers on what’s going on with local high school volleyball playoffs. Below is me actually following through with it.

Division I:

The Sac-Joaquin Section sent two finalists to the 2008 CIF State Volleyball Championships, currently competing in the Northern California bracket. Section champ Nevada Union High School started the tournament strong as the top seed and against opponent Skyline in Round 1, winning easily in three straight games, 25-7, 25-11, 25-13. Meanwhile, SJS runner-up Napa High, ranked sixth in the tournament, faced Granada in Round 1, and while a bit more difficult, also advanced after a 25-22, 25-14, 25-22, 25-20 battle.

Nevada Union will face Homestead in Round 2 on Nov. 29 at Nevada Union, while Napa will now face Salinas at home also the same night.

All matches are scheduled at 7 p.m.

Division II:

Section champion Oak Ridge High, ranked No. 2 in the Northern California bracket behind powerhouse Archbishop Mitty, started the tournament strong with a straight set win over Campolindo at Oak Ridge, 25-17, 25-16, 25-11. The Trojans will retain home court advantage with a Round 2 matchup against Mountain View at Oak Ridge on Nov. 29 at 7 p.m.

St. Francis, however, the SJS’s second entry to the tournament, didn’t fair so well, losing a to-the-wire battle at Maria Carrillo High, 20-25, 25-23, 13-25, 25-13, 15-12. The Troubadours were eliminated with the loss.

Division III:

St. Mary’s of Stockton took the tournament’s Northern California No. 1 seed and a Round 1 home match against West Valley and advanced in straight sets, 25-13, 25-12, 25-13. St. Mary’s will face Miramonte in Round 2 on Nov. 29 at home.

Oakdale, the SJS’s second entry, lost in the first round to Sacred Heart Cathedral, 25-7, 25-14, 25-16.

Division IV:

Christian Bros. entered the Division IV Northern California Regional as the No. 2 seed, facing Piedmont in a home match in Round 1. The Falcons took control to advance after a 25-11, 25-20, 25-12 victory. The Falcons will play on Nov. 29 at home.

Ripon, the SJS’s second entry and the tourney’s No. 5 seed, also advanced after a 25-19, 25-15, 25-20 win over host Sutter High.

Division V:

Section champion Ripon Christian beat Valley Christian 25-16, 25-15, 25-17 to advance to Round 2 on Nov. 29. They will play at St. Francis CCC in Watsonville. Section runner-up Woodland Christian was eliminated after a loss at Marin Aacademy, 25-17, 25-13, 25-10.

Check back after this weekend to see if any of our area teams are still alive.