The CIF Southern Section boys' volleyball playoffs are heating up, and we've got all the action from Wednesday's first-round matches, plus a look ahead at Thursday's schedule. It's the perfect time to gear up your favorite team's colors and support the next generation of volleyball stars.
Division 1 Highlights
Top seeds Mira Costa, Huntington Beach, Loyola, and Redondo Union all earned first-round byes, setting the stage for a powerhouse showdown later in the tournament. In the opening matches, Tesoro swept Los Alamitos (25-19, 25-23, 25-17), while Corona del Mar shut out Mater Dei in three sets. Newport Harbor dominated Millikan (25-8, 25-13, 25-19), and Santa Margarita took down San Marcos in a clean 3-0 victory. These teams are setting the bar high for championship contention.
Division 2
Camarillo made a strong statement, sweeping Anaheim Canyon (25-21, 25-17, 25-18) to advance. Keep an eye on this squad as they look to make a deep run.
Division 3 Thrillers
This bracket was packed with intense battles. Palos Verdes edged Corona Centennial 3-1, while Sage Hill outlasted Malibu in four sets. Claremont took down Murrieta Valley, and Corona Santiago needed five sets to top Mark Keppel in a nail-biter. Bishop Montgomery and St. John Bosco both won 3-2 thrillers, proving that every point counts in this competitive division. Mission Viejo swept Paloma Valley (25-20, 25-15, 25-18), and Santa Ana Foothill cruised past Canyon Country Canyon. Saugus had a marathon match, winning 25-23, 25-23, 23-25, 30-28 against Newbury Park—a true test of endurance and skill.
Division 5 Drama
Dos Pueblos staged an incredible comeback, dropping the first two sets before rallying to beat Aquinas 21-25, 20-25, 25-15, 25-11, 15-13. Hemet also went the distance, edging Summit 3-2. Brea Olinda and Aliso Niguel traded blows before Brea prevailed 26-24, 16-25, 25-21, 29-27. Norco needed five sets to outlast Cajon, showing the depth of talent in this bracket. Meanwhile, Bellflower swept Crespi, and Ventura handled Vista del Lago in straight sets.
Division 7 Action
Trinity Classical Academy swept Canyon Springs (25-19, 25-19, 25-19), while Cerritos Valley Christian beat Norwalk in three. Bell Gardens and Long Beach Jordan also posted clean sweeps, while Knight edged Santa Ana in five sets. Godinez and Los Amigos both won 3-2 battles, setting up an exciting second round.
With so many thrilling matches already in the books, Thursday's schedule promises even more excitement. Whether you're hitting the court or cheering from the stands, make sure you're dressed for the game in gear that shows your school pride. Stay tuned for more updates as these teams battle for a shot at the championship!