Taft vs Centennial Top Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tonight marked the kickoff of the CIF State Playoff Games statewide. PrepDig had a front-row seat at the Toreadors Gym in Woodland Hills, capturing the intensity of the DIII R1 clash between Taft (seeded 5) and Centennial (seeded 12).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a thrilling match-up, Taft emerged victorious against Centennial High School, securing a 3-1 triumph with set scores of 25-22, 25-22, 19-25, 25-17. Their next challenge awaits in the south as they gear up to face Del Norte (22-14) on Thursday, November 9, 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's take a look at the top performers of the night</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["469394"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Aleiah Car, 2025: 6' 0u0022 Opposite for Taft and SG Eliteu003cbru003eu003cbru003eAleiah rightfully earned the title of PrepDig Player of the Game for Taft, and let me tell you, watching her in action is an absolute delight. She brings an electrifying energy to the court that's hard to miss. As the go-to hitter for the team, Aleiah's presence is known. She dominated the night with more than 14 powerful kills, making every swing a thunderous display of skill.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eNot only does Aleiah excel in delivering those commanding swings, but she also exhibits finesse by gracefully tipping the ball over the net. Curious about her ability to navigate around blockers, I had a post-match chat with Aleiah. She revealed that her secret lies in trusting her vision for precise shots. By combining her vertical jump and powerful swings, she lets the natural momentum of the attack take over.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eAleiah is contemplating whether to embark on her collegiate volleyball journey at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) or dive into the competitive realm of high Division I volleyball. Given the extraordinary talents she showcased on the court tonight, the options available to her will undoubtedly abundant.u003cbru003eu003cbru003e[embed]https://x.com/PrepDigCA/status/1722118633604972689[/embed]","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["462942"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='462942' first='Francine' last='Baltazar-Shine'], 2025: 5'9u0022 Setter for Taft and Supernovau003cbru003eu003cbru003eFrancine is an incredibly disciplined setter with a unique talent for positioning her feet perfectly to deliver a seamless, spin-free ball. She runs a swift and dynamic offense, skillfully connecting with her go-to hitters. In a standout moment of the match, Francine stole the show by executing a beautifully elegant two-handed dump right into the sweet spot, elegantly sealing the deal for a victorious conclusion to the first set.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eCurious about her remarkable connection with her hitters, I had the chance to chat with Francine. She hinted at the importance of finding the rhythm of her teammates, showcasing her intuitive understanding of the game and the synchronicity needed for a winning play.u003cbru003eu003cbru003e[embed]https://x.com/PrepDigCA/status/1722078609756786820[/embed]","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["469613"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='469613' first='Gianella' last='Tijamo'], 2025: 5'7u0022 Libero for TaftrnrnGianella, fondly known as u0022Gigi,u0022 excels in one particular role—she's a standout Libero. Watching Gigi showcase her skills on the court is truly a delight. What sets her apart is her strategic footwork as she maneuvers into passing positions, opting for precision over relying solely on angles. Gigi's passing game is characterized by disciplined use of her platform, devoid of any abrupt or jerky motions.rnrnInquisitive about the seamless quality of her passes, I had a conversation with Gigi. She revealed that her smooth passing finesse is a product of dedicated and rigorous training, emphasizing the effort she has put into honing this aspect of her game.rnrnAdding a personal touch to our conversation, Gigi shared that her dream school is CSUN, as it holds a special place in her volleyball journey—it's where it all began for her.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":476655,"_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"Cydnee Bryant","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Centennial","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Cydnee Bryant, 2026: 6'4 Middle for Centennialu003cbru003eu003cbru003ePrepDig recognizes talent on both ends of the court, regardless of the final outcome, and Cydnee's outstanding offensive prowess, showcased through her remarkable kills, blocks, and aces, truly stood out. Named the PrepDig Player of the Game for the Centennial Huskies, Cydnee Bryant embodies a passionate and coachable athlete constantly striving for improvement. It's worth noting that when she unleashes a swing at the peak of her jump, the delivered ball becomes virtually unreturnable. Cydnee's impressive power not only lights up her team but also makes her kills a force to be reckoned with.u003cbru003eu003cbru003e[embed]https://x.com/PrepDigCA/status/1722115031998075189[/embed]","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"Mckenna Giles","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Centennial","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Mckenna Giles, 2026: Libero for Centennialu003cbru003eu003cbru003eMckenna's agility and strong work ethic were evident as she swiftly moved on the court. Despite coming off a challenging match against the formidable [player_tooltip player_id='162783' first='Taylor' last='Yu'], bound for Stanford, Mckenna showcased exceptional performance tonight, expertly digging balls from all directions. When not securing digs, she was acing it from the back line with her serves.u003cbru003eu003cbru003ePost-game, I had the opportunity to chat with Mckenna about her role as a 'digging machine'. She mentioned that facing high-level hitters in the previous competition, like [player_tooltip player_id='162783' first='Taylor' last='Yu'], allowed her to make crucial adjustments to her game. Tonight, she was determined to deliver a solid performance for her team.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eMckenna was posted as a Prospect to Watch earlier in the season.u003cbru003eu003cbru003e[embed]https://x.com/PrepDigCA/status/1720106578546929839[/embed]u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"Charlotte McCully","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"32925","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"Centennial","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_5_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Charlotte McCully, 2026 Opposite for Centennialu003cbru003eu003cbru003eCharlotte delivered an outstanding performance on the right side, setting the stage for a rapid start for the Huskies. They took a commanding lead in the first set, with a score of 10 to 5, compelling Taft to call their first timeout. Charlotte, a formidable hitter, demonstrated her prowess by seamlessly placing the ball down the line or skillfully navigating cross-court angles. Her early contributions at the net, both in hitting and blocking, were truly noteworthy.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eTaking a moment to reflect, Charlotte shared with me the distinctive journey of her team. Despite facing skepticism from others, she and her teammates forged a remarkably successful season, anchored in unwavering faith in themselves and each other.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"Jordan McIntyre","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"Centennial","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_6_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Jordan McIntyre, 2025 Middle for Centennialu003cbru003eu003cbru003eJordan's success as a middle hitter is attributed to her rapid swing and skill in maneuvering around the block. She delivered a stellar performance at the net, putting up significant blocks throughout the entire game. Post-game, she shared with me her keen interest in pursuing collegiate volleyball, aiming to garner exposure during the upcoming club season playing for Pipeline.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-654b380079d1b"} /-->