The Aptos High girls’ volleyball team survived to play another day in the Central Coast Section Division III playoffs after getting past No. 6 Soquel 25-16, 25-18, 13-25, 23-25, 15-13 in Tuesday evening’s quarterfinals match.
Senior Ella Dueck delivered a game-best 36 kills to go along with eight digs, six blocks and four aces for the No. 3 Mariners. Teammate Mady Reed had 24 assists, nine digs and four aces, while Cana Taylor added 29 assists, seven digs and three aces.
Caitlin Lavelle finished with 14 kills and six blocks for Aptos (20-10), which plays at Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League runner-up No. 2 Santa Cruz (21-9) in the semifinals on Thursday at 7pm.
Sophie Liu added 12 digs, eight assists and three aces for the Mariners, while teammate Isabella Briceno had 10 kills and eight blocks. Hannah Kapadia contributed 12 digs, nine kills and five blocks, while Kaia Harrah finished with 17 digs and six assists.
No. 9 Half Moon Bay 3, at No. 8 Monte Vista Christian 0: The Mustangs saw its postseason run come to a quick end following a loss to the Cougars 25-18, 25-18, 25-12 in the first round of the D-IV bracket Oct. 31.
Sophomore right side hitter Reagan Kolbach led MVC with four aces, 10 kills and two digs. Senior middle blocker Amani Keller added five kills and three blocks, while senior setter Mayla Miller-Spahn finished with 23 assists, one ace and two digs.
“Credit to Half Moon Bay for playing a solid game and challenging us, their pin hitters were dynamic and swung with power,” said MVC first year head coach Hunter Zeng in an email.
Despite the defeat, Zeng expressed pride in his squad’s growth and effort throughout the year.
“We came up a little short today but I think we learned a lot about ourselves and what it means to compete through all of the opportunities of this season,” Zeng said. “I want to thank my team for their efforts as they balance all the responsibilities that young people do, my coaching staff for caring well for our players and our parent community for working behind the scenes to support the program.”
MVC finished with a 9-19 overall record, and placed fifth in the PCAL’s top tier Gabilan Division with a 4-10 record in league play this season.
Girls flag football
No. 6 Sobrato 27, at No. 3 Aptos 20: The Mariners saw an early exit in the D-II playoffs following a stunning loss to the Bulldogs in Monday evening’s quarterfinals.
Junior Jules Parello ignited the offense with a 4-yard touchdown run to put Aptos on the scoreboard first. Sophomore Ella Jacobs hauled in a 12-yard touchdown reception in the first half, while Myla Appleby broke free for a 41-yard touchdown run to round out the scoring.
On defense, junior Mary-Anne McCarthy and Appleby brought relentless pressure on the opposing quarterback throughout the evening.
McCarthy, along with senior captain Lauren Galster and junior Isa Alvarez, each recorded one sack for SCCAL champion Aptos, which finished with a 10-0 record in league play and a 15-4 overall record this season.
Senior Ellie Marta, Galster, McCarthy and Alvarez anchored the defensive unit with multiple tackles apiece. They were joined by freshman Kate Chekouras, who made an impact after being promoted from the junior varsity squad.
At No. 4 Branham 51, No. 5 Watsonville 6: The Wildcat offense found little rhythm in Monday night’s loss to the Bruins in the D-I quarterfinals.
Junior quarterback Aaliyah Arellano tossed for 132 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions for Watsonville. Freshman quarterback Zoe Saldana also threw a pair of interceptions.
Sophomore wide receiver Yoselin Delgadillo hauled in six receptions for 53 yards and one touchdown for the ‘Catz, who generated a total of 164 yards. Arellano added 46 yards rushing on three attempts.
On defense, senior rusher Taylor Alves Lopez posted four tackles and two sacks, while sophomore Cecilia Canela recorded four tackles. Freshman Laisha Zamora-Martinez finished with two tackles.
Watsonville finished with a 15-3 overall record, and was runner-up in the Pacific Coast Athletic League’s Mission Division with an 8-2 record in league play this season.
