Amber Watkins and Siena Urzua each recorded double-doubles, and Bishop Diego battled back from a 13-10 deficit in the fifth set and won 17-15 to take down Pacifica Christian of Santa Monica in a CIF-SS Division 8 girls volleyball first-round playoff match on Thursday night at the Brick House Gym.
The thrilling 25-23, 26-28, 26-24, 21-25, 17-15 victory is believed to be Bishop’s first CIF playoff win since 2002. And it came against a team that was CIF runner-up last season.
The Cardinals stuffed Pacifica Christian’s best hitter to start a four-point scoring run that sparked them to the win.
“This was a huge step forward for our female sports, our volleyball program and our school as a whole,” said coach Dillan Bennett.
Watkins led the Cardinals with 16 kills on a .462 hitting percentage and picked up 14 digs. Siena Urzua had 13 kills, hit .320 and scooped 10 digs. Alinza Urzua added seven kills on a .600 average.
Libero Julia Gregson had team-highs of 18 digs and five service aces.
Ashlyn Oxton and Ariana Morones were key at the net. Oxton had four solo blocks and Morones added two.
Bishop Diego advances to Saturday’s second round at Garey in Pomona.
— Noozhawk Sports Editor Barry Punzal can be reached at bpunzal@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.