Taft vs Centennial Top Performers
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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). In…
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Continue ReadingTonight 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).
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.
Let’s take a look at the top performers of the night
Aleiah Car, 2025: 6′ 0″ Opposite for Taft and SG Elite
Aleiah 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.
Not 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.
Aleiah 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.
PrepDig Player of the Game for Taft: Aleiah Carr
Aleiah lead her team to victory with her masterful attacks at the net, confirming the genuine hype surrounding this promising prospect.@TaftAthletics @AleiahCarr @PrepDig pic.twitter.com/yVwJdVJKjm
— Prep Dig California (@PrepDigCA) November 8, 2023
Highlights
Francine Baltazar-Shine Francine Baltazar-Shine 5’7″ | S Taft Charter | 2025 CA , 2025: 5’9″ Setter for Taft and Supernova
Francine 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.
Curious 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.
2023 CIF-STATE DIII R1 Game Update:
Set 1
Taft Toreadors @taftathletes 25
Centennial Huskies @cen10VB 22Francine Baltazar-Shine elegantly delivers a stunning two-handed dump right into the sweet spot, gracefully concluding the first set. pic.twitter.com/rjKlgdsZwp
— Prep Dig California (@PrepDigCA) November 8, 2023
Highlights
Gianella Tijamo Gianella Tijamo 5’6″ | DS/L Taft Charter | 2025 CA , 2025: 5’7″ Libero for Taft
Gianella, fondly known as “Gigi,” 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.
Inquisitive 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.
Adding 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.
Highlights
Cydnee Bryant
Cydnee Bryant
Cydnee Bryant, 2026: 6’4 Middle for Centennial
PrepDig 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.
PrepDig Player of the Game for Centennial Huskies:
#4 Cydnee BryantPrepDig recognizes talent on both sides of the net, and Cydnee’s offense, showcased through her outstanding kills, blocks, and aces, left a truly remarkable impression.@CydneeBryant @Cen10VB @PrepDig pic.twitter.com/OedO6VRjJ3
— Prep Dig California (@PrepDigCA) November 8, 2023
Mckenna Giles
Mckenna Giles
Mckenna Giles, 2026: Libero for Centennial
Mckenna’s agility and strong work ethic were evident as she swiftly moved on the court. Despite coming off a challenging match against the formidable Taylor Yu Taylor Yu 6’0″ | S Temple City | 2024 State #15 Nation CA , 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.
Post-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 Taylor Yu Taylor Yu 6’0″ | S Temple City | 2024 State #15 Nation CA , allowed her to make crucial adjustments to her game. Tonight, she was determined to deliver a solid performance for her team.
Mckenna was posted as a Prospect to Watch earlier in the season.
🏐Prospect to Watch
Mckenna Giles
2026, 5’4
Libero Centennial @Cen10Huskies
Pipeline @pipelinevolleyTag @prepdigca and then join the Prospect Index to get on our radar!@PrepDig https://t.co/f1t9HS63Oa
— Prep Dig California (@PrepDigCA) November 2, 2023
Charlotte McCully
Charlotte McCully
Charlotte McCully, 2026 Opposite for Centennial
Charlotte 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.
Taking 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.
Jordan McIntyre
Jordan McIntyre
Jordan McIntyre, 2025 Middle for Centennial
Jordan’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.