DIVISION I
#8 James Logan (25-10) at #1 De La Salle (31-2) – Saturday, 7pm
Defending champion De La Salle is once again the favorite in Division I, and ride a 24-match win streak. The Spartans, in fact, lost only three sets through their undefeated EBAL season. Senior Peter Edwards averages 5.3 kills per set, while another senior, setter Michael Doherty (11.1 assists), is also instrumental for this veteran De La Salle team that features nine total seniors.
Division I
#8 James Logan (25-10) beat #9 American (16-13), 25-13, 25-23, 25-21. The Colts will now play #1 De La Salle (31-2) in the quarterfinals.
#7 Amador Valley (21-8) was a 25-18, 25-15, 25-13 winner against #10 Heritage (17-14). Roy Xue finished with 14 kills, three blocks, and three aces. The Dons play at #2 Deer Valley (36-3) in the quarters.
Going into the night, the WCAL was guaranteed at least one champion, but the conference walked away with two titlists, St. Francis and Sacred Heart Cathedral.
Division I
Last season, Bellarmine won three of four meetings with St. Francis, including a sweep in the CCS semifinals, on their way to their fifth consecutive CCS title.
Now, the Bells (21-9) have an opportunity to win their sixth straight after a a 22-25, 25-20, 25-23, 20-25, 15-12 triumph over #2 Mountain View. Kevin Korb had 12 kills and five digs.
Division I
Bellarmine has an opportunity to win their sixth straight CCS title. The #3 Bells (21-9) were a 22-25, 25-20, 25-23, 20-25, 15-12 winner against #2 Mountain View (30-5).
#1 St. Francis (27-2) is the favorite to dethrone the Bells after their impressive 25-21, 25-21, 25-23 win against #4 Homestead (26-8).
De La Salle, Sir Francis Drake, and St. Patrick-St. Vincent are the #1 seeds
Division I
Defending champion De La Salle (31-2) plays Saturday against the winner of the all-MVAL matchup, #8 James Logan (24-10)-#9 American (16-12). The Colts and Eagles split their two head-to-head meetings this season, with each side winning in four.
Division I at Independence High School
#2 Mountain View (30-4) vs. #3 Bellarmine (20-9) – 11am
#1 St. Francis (26-2) vs. #4 Homestead (26-7) – 1pm
Three of last season’s four semifinalists are back in the final four this year, with Homestead replacing the 2011 Los Gatos team.
It will be the WCAL versus the SCVAL De Anza in the CCS semifinals on Saturday.
In Thursday’s quarterfinals, #3 Bellarmine (20-9) swept by #6 San Benito (29-5), 25-19, 25-20, 25-19, while #2 Mountain View (30-4) was a 25-15, 27-25, 25-13 winner against #7 Westmont (28-6), as Devin Stearns registered 29 kills. Bellarmine will play Mountain View in a semifinal.
Just two days after their coach, Eric Cruzada, died of an apparent heart attack, American fell to James Logan, 25-19, 27-25, 22-25, 25-18. The Eagles (15-12, 7-4) are playing for their coach, as Matt Smith writes. Lam Vo and Jesse McClellan are coaching the American team for the rest of the season.
Vo: "The team felt that it would be a shame if we just gave up. He meant the world to them, he brought us together as a family and taught us family was more important than volleyball, and we are going to keep playing for him."
Peter Edwards had 26 kills, 10 digs, and eight aces for De La Salle (30-2, 13-0) as the Spartans prevailed, 25-14, 23-25, 25-10, 25-20 against Foothill. The Spartans have lost just three sets in league, with two of those coming at the hands of the Falcons.
Elsewhere around the Bay: