Can you even believe what just went down in the first round of the CIF-Southern Section girls volleyball playoffs? Three High Desert league champions, THREE, are already packing their bags after getting bounced in the opener this week. And get this: Hesperia Christian is the *only* league champ left standing. Wild.
The Brutal First-Round Upsets
Man, where do you even start with these losses? Oak Hills, who went undefeated to grab that Mojave River League title, got absolutely swept at home by Ventura. We’re talking 25-15, 25-23, 25-19 in Division 4 action on Tuesday. Brutal. This team was 20-4 coming into the postseason and even snagged the Division 6 championship in 2024. Alexis Bitonti was out there spiking, but it wasn’t enough. Ventura is now set to face Vista Murrieta.
But the real gut punch has to be Granite Hills. This squad went undefeated to win the Desert Sky League title. They came out SWINGING against Villa Park in Division 6 on Tuesday, taking the first two sets 29-27 and 25-23. You’re thinking, “Okay, easy win, right?” WRONG. They squandered that lead, losing the next three sets: 25-23, 25-17, and then a heartbreaker 15-10 in the decisive fifth. Camden Hele racked up 22 kills and Isabel Villa-Aristizabal dished out 41 assists, but the comeback just crumbled. Granite Hills ends the season with a 16-4 record.
And Academy for Academic Excellence, who were undefeated in Cross Valley League play, are also done. They finished 27-6 but fell to Liberty in four sets on Wednesday in Division 5. Three league champs, all gone in the first round. Tough scene.
Who’s Still Standing and Ready For Round Two
On the flip side, shoutout to Hesperia Christian, the Agape League champions! They kept their postseason hopes alive with a clean sweep over Peninsula in Division 5. The Patriots, now at 21-9, will host Canyon this Saturday. Canyon also made quick work of things, sweeping Moorpark. Let’s go!
A few other High Desert teams pulled through, too. No. 4 Burroughs swept Loma Linda Academy 3-0 in Division 6, with scores of 25-20, 25-14, 25-16. Mekenzee Walke was on fire with 13 kills, five aces, and 11 digs, while Fallynne Dunn added nine kills and Aaliyah Melton contributed six kills and three aces. Burroughs (19-11-2) is hosting Capistrano Valley Christian on Thursday.
Barstow swept Highland 3-0 in Division 7, 25-20, 25-16, 25-23. The Aztecs (17-12) are heading to the Webb Schools for the second round on Saturday. No. 4 Riverside Prep also took care of business in the only all-local playoff matchup, sweeping University Prep 25-14, 25-16, 25-13 in Division 8. Aubrey Duran led the way with 11 kills and four blocks, Imani Springfield added five kills and 10 digs, and Malaya Bly dished out 26 assists. Riverside Prep (18-13) will host Burbank on Thursday.
Not everyone made it, though. Cobalt Institute of Math & Science Academy got swept in Division 9 by San Jacinto Leadership Academy, finishing their season 13-7. Victor Valley was also swept in Division 9 by Desert Christian Academy, ending their run at 5-14. And Excelsior lost to Buena Park 3-1.
What’s Next for the Survivors
So, Saturday is huge for Hesperia Christian and Barstow as they fight to keep their seasons alive. Burroughs and Riverside Prep are battling it out on Thursday. This first round was absolutely brutal for our league champions, but some teams are still here and ready for more. We’ll be watching to see who keeps that momentum going and pushes deeper into the playoffs!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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