SAN JOSE - Presentation defeated host Branham in four sets to advance to the semifinals of CCS Division 2 girls volleyball tournament Saturday night.
Coming off a home win against Westmoor in the first round, in which they won in straight sets, seventh-seeded Presentation (12-22, 0-11 WCAL) had a battle with second-seeded Branham (17-5, 13-1 BVAL-MH) in the first set. The Bruins were playing their tournament game after a bye. The teams went back and forth early and the set was tied 10-10, but Presentation went on a run to win the set 25-15.
Branham looked to respond in the second set, and looked good going into a timeout up 10-8 in the set. However, Presentation found some momentum and pushed to a 17-11 lead. Branham ended up closing up the deficit to 19-16, but the Panthers were too much to handle as Peyton O’Hara served out the rest of the set to win 25-19.
“We were focused on everything happening on our side of the net - communicating with each other as the plays went on,” said Presentation outside hitter Jenna Sandall. “We never gave up on any balls and executed. That’s what led us to a win.”
The Bruins avoided defeat in the next set in a big way - after trailing 3-2, they never relinquished the lead after, as Seneca Lent’s kill clinched a 25-19 win in the set.
Branham’s comeback bid fell short, however, as Presentation went up big in the next set and Sandall’s kill clinched the set and the game for the Panthers.
“We played hard,” said Branham captain Holly Hyon. “But we weren’t able to push through. It was a competitive game, and they executed really well.”
“We tried to limit our errors and came in well prepared after watching film,” said Sandall. “Now, we’re going to get back into the gym and the film room to work and prepare for our next game. We just need to focus on the things that will make us a stronger team.”
After a winless season in league, Presentation is on a two-game winning streak in the tournament and will play sixth-seeded Aragon, coming off a win against No 3 Lynbrook. Branham’s season ends with a league championship in the BVAL-Mt. Hamilton Division.
