CIF State Finals Crystal Springs Uplands: Who’s on the Court
Crystal Springs Uplands, led by Coach Chelby Spray, made their very first appearance ever in their school’s history at the State tournament. Taking Oceanside to five sets, the Gryphons secured a State Title victory with the scores of 17-25, 25-23,…
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SubscribeCrystal Springs Uplands, led by Coach Chelby Spray, made their very first appearance ever in their school’s history at the State tournament. Taking Oceanside to five sets, the Gryphons secured a State Title victory with the scores of 17-25, 25-23, 25-13, 16-25, 15-11.
Let’s take a closer look at the standouts.

Bianca Sladewski
Bianca Sladewski
Bianca Sladewski PrepDig Player of the Game.
Bianca unleashed a serving rampage tonight. Every time she took the service line, the Gryphons surged forward. Bianca made 35 attempts in total, securing an impressive 10 aces and remarkably committing only 2 service errors, resulting in an outstanding serving percentage of .943. Notably, in the final set, she delivered 10 flawless serves focusing on location rather than perfection. Reports indicate that she now ranks second in the State’s historical records for serving—a testament to her exceptional skill and precision. In the press conference, she eloquently spoke about self-confidence on the serving line, positive self-talk and her routine.

Ellie Lee
Ellie Lee
Ellie Lee, 2027: Outside
Ellie defied her freshman status by displaying remarkable confidence on the court. She showcased impressive skill with powerful kills from the outside and demonstrated a strong ability to hit down the line. In her debut at the state level, Ellie totaled an impressive tally of 10 kills. Additionally, she excelled in the blocking department, effectively thwarting attempts from the right side to drive the ball down the line.

Ella Beebe
Ella Beebe
Ella Beebe, 2025: Middle
Ella showcased an immense block at the center, displaying impeccable timing that was captivating to witness. She dominated the setter, swiftly neutralizing any attempt to dump the ball into her team’s territory. Ella’s presence at the net effectively shut down their middle offense. Her volleyball intelligence of knowing when to release on the setter was truly exceptional. Whenever she secured a block, her emotional outburst was palpable, igniting a contagious energy that fueled her entire team’s performance.

Alexa Tarnarider
Alexa Tarnarider
Alexa Tarnarider, 2024: Setter
Alexa ran a high-speed offense on the court, utilizing rapid low quick sets to keep the momentum flowing. It was a sight to see when anticipating that she overshot the middle, only to see her outside execute on the low incoming set that was intended. Her defensive approach was marked by relentless hustle, positioning herself before releasing to set. Alexa delivered 22 assists in the match.

Gabby Tomatis
Gabby Tomatis
Gabby Tomatis, 2025: Outside
Gabby’s skills on the court were truly remarkable. She spearheaded an impactful offense, securing the highest number of kills for the team with an impressive tally of 16 throughout the night. Her hitting style wasn’t merely about swinging away; she adeptly utilized the block to her advantage, showcasing a skillful finesse in her approach.
Additional noteworthy prospects:
Petra Hennessey, 2026:
Petra delivered finesse with beautifully executed soft tips over the block.
Kathy Zhang, 2027:
Kathy displayed a picture-perfect platform. Her technique at freezing her platform was flawless. Her confidence as a freshman was remarkable. She successfully claimed 5 digs against a relentless hard-hitting offense.
Hannah Meier, 2025:
Hannah not only made her presence felt on the court but also significantly shifted the momentum in favor of her team.
Erica Lin, 2026:
Erica’s sets were delivered with remarkable skill, playing a pivotal role by contributing 10 assists throughout the night’s game.