Local high school girls volleyball teams flocked to the Brick House and Page Youth Center on Saturday to compete in the annual Cardinal Classic hosted by Bishop Diego.
Many local squads found success, led by Cate winning its playoff bracket and Bishop Diego coming in second place in the Silver Division.
After going 0-2 in pool play, the Rams advanced to the Silver Division consolation playoffs and rattled off wins over Santa Paula and Rio Mesa to earn the championship of that bracket.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals went 3-0 in Silver Pool F and went on to defeat Viewpoint in the playoffs before falling to Atascadero.
Santa Barbara High competed in Gold Pool B, going 1-1 with a win over Crossroads and a loss to Capistrano Valley Christian. In the playoffs, Louisville High defeated the Dons in the opening round.
“We got a chance to try some new lineups, and there were definitely bright spots,” Santa Barbara head coach Kristin Hempy said. “Lola Heckman made a nice impact on the right side, with some strong kills. Blake Saunders and Kira Elliot continued their solid offensive performances on the outside, and Aeryn Alexander and Grace Costner provided some steady defense.
“Paylin Marcillac continues to be a key presence for us as libero, and Jules Horton, coming over from water polo, is getting lots of touches and clicking nicely as setter.”
Laguna Blanca also went 1-1 in pool play, defeating Cate and falling to Atascadero in Silver Pool E. Viewpoint took down the Owls in the first round of the playoffs.
Dos Pueblos went 0-3 in Gold Pool D before dropping its first playoff matchup in the Consolation bracket.
Santa Ynez rounded out the Santa Barbara County teams by going 2-1 in Gold Pool A and falling in the Gold Bracket championship game to Louisville.