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2008
By ERIC BACA
Valley Press Staff Writer
Quartz Hill, Littlerock and Desert Christian all held their own at home, each sweeping its competition Tuesday.
Desert, however, proved it could go on the road and win, too, after defeating Desert Chapel in five sets.
The Rebels and Scorpions each host their respective second round matches, while Littlerock and Desert Christian take their game on the road, all four hoping for another win that will land them in Saturday's quarterfinals.
Division III-AA
Santa Maria St. Joseph (11-8) at Quartz Hill (24-3-2)
The Rebels are coming off of an anything but easy opening round win over Cerritos Valley Christian Tuesday, defeating the Crusaders, 25-21, 25-20, 27-25.
Rebels coach Larry Vocke appreciated the out-of-the-gate challenge for his team, which wasn't challenged until the quarterfinals in last year's playoffs.
"I really enjoyed it," Vocke said. "It forced us to step up. They pushed us, but we pushed right back."
The Rebels won the coin flip over the Knights, allowing them to host their second-straight playoff match. The Knights came in second out of the Los Pablos league.
St. Joseph lost to Beverly Hills in the first round of the playoffs last year.
The winner gets either Granite Hills or Charter Oak.
Littlerock (15-4) at Village Christian (29-3)
Littlerock adapted its game well-enough in the first round to beat out Morro Bay, 25-21, 25-23, 25-22.
The Lobos face arguably its toughest challenge this season in Village Christian, the Division III-AA defending champion.
En route to an Olympic League title, the Crusaders beat Brentwood and Campbell, the division's No. 2 and No. 5 team respectively.
The Crusaders went 8-0 at home this season.
The winner between the Lobos and Crusaders will meet the winner of the Victor Valley and Bonita matchup.
Division IV-A
La Puente (26-2-1) at Desert (18-6)
The Scorpions' stormed back from a two-set deficit against Desert Chapel Tuesday, winning 23-25, 17-25, 25-20, 25- 21, 15-13, more than earning their trip to the second round of play.
"These girls aren't ready to quit yet," Scorpions coach Debbie Lewis said. "That's what's really exciting is that we have a goal and we are ready to get there."
According to Lewis, the team's offensive output against Desert Chapel was its best of the season, with all of the Scorpions hitting numbers in the positive.
"They're still improving," she said. "That's the best part."
La Puente is currently ranked No. 7 in the Division IV-A polls.
The two teams are playing for a chance to play the winner between Villanova and Notre Dame.
Division V-AA
Desert Christian (13-5) at Cornelia Connelly (14-5)
The Knights hope to continue what has been a memorable season, after blasting by San Gabriel Academy, 27-25, 25-17, 25-10.
In Connelly, however, the Knights are up against the two-time defending Division V-A champions.
"One of the things that was said at practice was that we weren't going to be satisfied with getting this far," Douglas said. "We are out to win, we're going after them."
The Koalas went undefeated in their capturing of the San Joaquin League and went to the to state championships last year.
Next up for the winner is the victor of the second round matchup between Lighthouse Christian and Faith Baptist.
