Colton, CA—It has been 15 years since the Colton High volleyball team has made the CIF playoffs, let alone win a playoff game.
On Tuesday night, this year’s team made it clear they don’t want their playoff run to be brief, sweeping Packinghouse Christian Academy 3-0 and earning a trip to the second round on Thursday night against River Springs Magnolia.
“Definitely proud from today’s game,“ head coach Blanca Ascensio said after the game amidst the celebration. “The girls put in hard work, I was super excited.”
“I feel like we all showed up and played our best, we were all working together,” Andrea Llanes said proudly. “I think it was a really good game, we did really good today.”
Volleyball has battled this year, placing second in the Skyline League with a record of 3-3, and an overall record of 9-12. This comes after several years in which the team struggled to win more than three games in a season.
That past is now history.
Against Packinghouse, Hubbs Gym was packed with Colton fans on the edge of their seats. Colton cheer and band showed up in support, rallying the crowd with school spirit and pride.
Loud and clear communication was on display from the start for the Yellowjackets. The first set began with intensity and focus. Fired up, Colton won 25-21.
The second set was very close as the Bears didn’t back down. The Yellowjackets were pushed to extra points in the set, but took the second win 27-25..
The third set was just as intense and nail-biting. Both fan bases brought high energy as every point was hotly contested. Once again, Colton was pushed to extra points by Packinghouse, but the Yellowjackets fought through for the 27-25 match set victory.
“This one mattered the most,” Hiliana Serrano said, “I feel I did good, I got a kill”.
“This is the first time in years we’ve ever competed at a playoff,” Violet Pulma states ”I feel like we were a little shaky but we pulled through and that’s what matters”.
With this victory, Colton advances to round two of the division 10 CIF Southern Section playoffs, and prepares to face River Springs Magnolia on Thursday, Oct. 23 at Colton High’s Hubbs Gym.
The game was originally scheduled by CIF as a home game for River Springs, but became a home game for Colton due to River Springs not having a home site or alternative site for hosting.
Game time is 6 p.m. Tickets are available on GoFan.