The Elite Twelve: Road to the CIF-SS Semi-Finals

For seniors across Southern California, tomorrow is a night they'll never forget. The roar of the student section, the packed gyms, the familiar faces in the crowd. It's more than just playoff volleyball. It's the culmination of years spent turning down plans, missing parties, and saying, “I can't, I have practice.”   High school volleyball isn't only about bragging rights or banners on the wall. It's about the quiet proof that dedication pays off. For the athletes destined to play in college, these matches give their classmates a front-row seat to what commitment really looks like. Every sprint, every late-night homework session after practice, every weekend spent in convention centers during club season has led to this moment.   Now twelve programs remain standing across Divisions 1 through 3. Each one carries not just a chance at a championship, but a story that speaks to the heart of high school athletics...sacrifice, pride, and the pursuit of something bigger than themselves.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Division 1 - Semi-Final Matchups</h2>   Sierra Canyon vs Marymount Mater Dei vs San Juan Hills   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Sierra Canyon</h3>   Round 1: Bye Quarterfinals: Defeated Temecula Valley 3-0 Next Up: vs Marymount   Sierra Canyon entered the bracket as a top seed and has yet to drop a set. Their disciplined serve-receive and deep offensive lineup, led by elite setters and pin attackers, continue to keep opponents off balance. Players to watch include [player_tooltip player_id='480605' first='Kalyani' last='Olive'], [player_tooltip player_id='489859' first='Charlie' last='Bronson'], [player_tooltip player_id='713477' first='Zion' last='“Ziggy” Rex'], [player_tooltip player_id='475609' first='McKenna' last='McIntosh'], [player_tooltip player_id='545258' first='Evangeline' last='Jeffries'], [player_tooltip player_id='338908' first='Lucky' last='Fasavalu'], [player_tooltip player_id='545313' first='Hanna' last='McGinest'], [player_tooltip player_id='545365' first='Leah' last='Madariaga'], [player_tooltip player_id='778947' first='Daisy' last='Brown'], [player_tooltip player_id='474505' first='Raneighla' last='Gonzalez'], and [player_tooltip player_id='458807' first='Madeleine' last='“Maddie” Zaragoza'].   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/10/image_6df43b.png?w=720" alt="" class="wp-image-898890" style="width:193px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo Credit: @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/sierracanyonvolleyball/?hl=en#">sierracanyonvolleyball</a> Trailblazer seniors: Denise Barakat, [player_tooltip player_id='489859' first='Charlie' last='Bronson'], [player_tooltip player_id='480605' first='Kalyani' last='Olive'], Ziggy Rex, and Maddie Zaragoza</figcaption></figure>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Marymount</h3>   Round 1: Bye Quarterfinals: Defeated Mira Costa 3-0 Next Up: vs Sierra Canyon   Marymount returned to form after a strong showing earlier this fall. The Sailors' serve pressure and mid-match adjustments against Mira Costa proved decisive. Players to watch include [player_tooltip player_id='391084' first='Samantha' last='(Sammy) Destler'], [player_tooltip player_id='482022' first='Elle' last='Vandeweghe'], [player_tooltip player_id='391096' first='Frankie' last='Jones'], [player_tooltip player_id='809410' first='Declan' last='Eastman'], [player_tooltip player_id='391119' first='Olivia' last='Penske'], [player_tooltip player_id='757307' first='Gabriella' last='Bartle'], [player_tooltip player_id='482026' first='Grace' last='Jamison'], [player_tooltip player_id='807693' first='Presley' last='Jones'], [player_tooltip player_id='482032' first='Makenna' last='Barnes'], [player_tooltip player_id='513082' first='Brooke' last='Charlotte Salo'], [player_tooltip player_id='511345' first='Karys' last='Campos'], [player_tooltip player_id='482030' first='Leighton' last='Devereux'], [player_tooltip player_id='542274' first='Avery' last='Bennett'], and [player_tooltip player_id='768761' first='Esme' last='Althouse'].   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/10/image_980b46.png?w=651" alt="" class="wp-image-898892" style="width:207px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo Credit @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ubooksports/?hl=en#">ubooksports</a></figcaption></figure>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Mater Dei</h3>   Round 1: Bye Quarterfinals: Defeated Harvard-Westlake 3-0 Next Up: vs San Juan Hills   The Monarchs continue to dominate with balanced scoring and physicality at the net. Their sweep of Harvard-Westlake reflects the depth of their roster and the confidence of a perennial powerhouse. Players to watch include [player_tooltip player_id='228678' first='Layli' last='Ostovar'], [player_tooltip player_id='391082' first='Addison' last='Coady'], [player_tooltip player_id='227273' first='Soraya' last='Dennis'], [player_tooltip player_id='451716' first='Kate' last='Scherlacher'], [player_tooltip player_id='492684' first='Samantha' last='Capinpin'], [player_tooltip player_id='391915' first='Tiani' last='Shaw'], [player_tooltip player_id='482014' first='Ahnika' last='Smith'], [player_tooltip player_id='772595' first='Kaia' last='Ciszewski'], [player_tooltip player_id='482047' first='Westley' last='Matavao'], [player_tooltip player_id='533581' first='Kalea' last='Lee'], [player_tooltip player_id='455792' first='Emma' last='Kingston'], [player_tooltip player_id='540826' first='Paige' last='Linden'], [player_tooltip player_id='546559' first='Savanah' last='Capinpin'], [player_tooltip player_id='512542' first='Alexis' last='Lu'], [player_tooltip player_id='511139' first='Sierra' last='Robinson'], and [player_tooltip player_id='775543' first='Shewa' last='Adefemiwa'].   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/10/image_946f12.png?w=974" alt="" class="wp-image-898894" style="width:302px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Looking to repeat this... Photo Credit @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/materdeigirlsvolleyball/?hl=en#">materdeigirlsvolleyball</a> </figcaption></figure>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">San Juan Hills</h3>   Round 1: Defeated Los Alamitos 3-1 Quarterfinals: Defeated Redondo Union 3-2 Next Up: vs Mater Dei   San Juan Hills has been the bracket's dark horse, surviving a five-set thriller with Redondo Union. Their resilience and back-court defense have them peaking at the perfect time. Players to watch include Annie Gilmore, [player_tooltip player_id='543079' first='Ava' last='Vazquez'], [player_tooltip player_id='534120' first='Emma' last='Owens'], [player_tooltip player_id='523224' first='Whitney' last='Port'], [player_tooltip player_id='518546' first='Brennan' last='Hoppe'], [player_tooltip player_id='709153' first='Lydia' last='LeVier'], [player_tooltip player_id='492164' first='Megan' last='Hodges'], [player_tooltip player_id='524281' first='Bella' last='Turcios'], [player_tooltip player_id='542510' first='Alexis' last='Perkins'], and [player_tooltip player_id='515548' first='Sadie' last='Harris'].   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/10/image_af257c.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-898895" style="width:324px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo Credit: @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/sjhhsgirlsvolleyball/?hl=en#">sjhhsgirlsvolleyball</a> </figcaption></figure>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Division 2 - Semi-Final Matchups</h2>   Poly (Long Beach) vs Santa Margarita JSerra vs West Ranch   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Poly (Long Beach)</h3>   Round 1: Defeated Yorba Linda 3-1 Round 2: Defeated Centennial (Corona) 3-2 Quarterfinals: Defeated San Marcos 3-0 Next Up: vs Santa Margarita   Poly (Long Beach) built steady momentum through tight early-round battles, then found its stride in a dominant sweep over San Marcos. Their serve pressure and high-IQ offense have them peaking at the right time. Players to watch include [player_tooltip player_id='328173' first='Cedra' last='Talaga'], [player_tooltip player_id='721031' first='Taimane' last='Poe'], [player_tooltip player_id='807639' first='Aleeya' last='Salima'], [player_tooltip player_id='740877' first='Alison' last='Wetteland'], [player_tooltip player_id='524266' first='Londyn' last='Foster'], [player_tooltip player_id='752500' first='London' last='Caldwell'], and [player_tooltip player_id='708497' first='Lailah' last='Clayborne'].   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Santa Margarita</h3>   Round 1: Defeated Los Osos 3-0 Round 2: Defeated Chaminade 3-1 Quarterfinals: Defeated Redlands 3-0 Next Up: vs Poly (Long Beach)**   Santa Margarita's disciplined defense and efficient transition game have carried them to the semifinals. Their sweep of Redlands reaffirmed the Eagles' depth and consistency on both pins. Players to watch include [player_tooltip player_id='529396' first='Charlotte' last='“Charlie” Caulfield'], [player_tooltip player_id='527781' first='Ella' last='Opene'], [player_tooltip player_id='529121' first='Evelyn' last='Chu'], [player_tooltip player_id='500618' first='Ireland' last='Real'], [player_tooltip player_id='492745' first='Kate' last='Jackson'], [player_tooltip player_id='481528' first='Luna' last='Magallanes'], [player_tooltip player_id='547583' first='Marley' last='Bemus'], [player_tooltip player_id='391078' first='Memphis' last='Burnett'], [player_tooltip player_id='777410' first='Mia' last='Brock'], [player_tooltip player_id='483655' first='Olivia' last='Grovert'], and [player_tooltip player_id='580637' first='Rhys' last='Steele'].   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">JSerra</h3>   Round 1: Defeated Bishop Montgomery 3-0 Round 2: Defeated Thousand Oaks 3-1 Quarterfinals: Defeated West Ranch 3-0 Next Up: vs San Marcos   JSerra continues to showcase a balanced, fast-paced offense. Their quarterfinal sweep highlighted sharp setting choices and reliable first-contact play. Players to watch include [player_tooltip player_id='486781' first='Katherine' last='Nowak'], [player_tooltip player_id='525757' first='Kara' last='Boas'], [player_tooltip player_id='471054' first='Presley' last='Johnson'], [player_tooltip player_id='775578' first='Makayla' last='Zeigler'], [player_tooltip player_id='545961' first='Layla' last='Graham'], [player_tooltip player_id='776242' first='Amelia' last='Streech'], [player_tooltip player_id='580621' first='Cassie' last='Bartholomew'], [player_tooltip player_id='580631' first='Kendall' last='Stark'], and [player_tooltip player_id='498388' first='Sophie' last='Thompson'].   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">West Ranch</h3>   Round 1: Defeated Tesoro 3-0 Round 2: Defeated Roosevelt 3-0 Quarterfinals: Defeated Lutheran of Orange 3-2 Next Up: vs JSerra   West Ranch enters the semifinals after a thrilling five-set win over Lutheran of Orange. Their mix of physicality at the net and confident serve-receive has made them one of the most dangerous teams in the bracket. Players to watch include [player_tooltip player_id='475518' first='Daniele' last='Clewis'], [player_tooltip player_id='480172' first='Grace' last='Kelley'], [player_tooltip player_id='579972' first='Karleigh' last='Larson'], and [player_tooltip player_id='580624' first='Gioia' last='Piccolino'].   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Division 3 - Semi-Final Matchups</h2>   Flintridge Prep vs Foothill St. Margaret's vs Cypress   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Flintridge Prep</h3>   Round 1: Defeated Newbury Park 3-0 Round 2: Defeated North Torrance 3-1 Quarterfinals: Defeated St. Joseph (Lakewood) 3-2 Next Up: vs Foothill   Flintridge Prep has battled through a demanding bracket, knocking out St. Joseph (Lakewood) in a five-set thriller. Their poise in tight moments and disciplined serve-receive make them one of the most dangerous squads remaining. Players to watch include [player_tooltip player_id='542450' first='Aberdeen' last='Callaway'], and [player_tooltip player_id='534190' first='Ashlyn' last='Nam'].   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Foothill</h3>   Round 1: Defeated Aliso Niguel 3-0 Round 2: Defeated South Pasadena 3-0 Quarterfinals: Defeated Corona del Mar 3-2 Next Up: vs Flintridge Prep   Foothill's comeback win over Corona del Mar showcased composure and veteran leadership. Their balanced attack and back-row defense have been key to surviving multiple five-set tests.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">St. Margaret's</h3>   Round 1: Defeated Hesperia 3-0 Round 2: Defeated El Dorado 3-1 Quarterfinals: Defeated Saugus 3-1 Next Up: vs Cypress   St. Margaret's continues its impressive postseason push, taking down higher-seeded Saugus with confident play at the net. Their precision offense and ability to handle pace make them a legitimate title threat.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Cypress</h3>   Round 1: Defeated Poly (Riverside) 3-0 Round 2: Defeated Millikan 3-1 Quarterfinals: Defeated Wilson (Long Beach) 3-0 Next Up: vs St. Margaret's   Cypress powered through the draw with clean, commanding wins. Their ball control and tempo offense have separated them from opponents, and they'll need both firing against an athletic St. Margaret's side. Player to watch [player_tooltip player_id='765040' first='Tymane' last='Allen'].   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">As the lights come on for Saturday's semifinals, each of these twelve programs carries the pride of their school, their teammates, and the work that got them here. The stage is set for a weekend of incredible volleyball, fierce competition, and unforgettable moments. Wishing all teams the best of luck on their road to the CIF-SS Finals. </h4>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   If you enjoyed this article, please help us keep the momentum going!   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/09/image_cf4e03.png" alt="" class="wp-image-885470" style="width:125px;height:auto" /></figure>   ✨ Help a player get discovered — share this article using the share buttons and tag us on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigca/?hl=en">PrepDigCa</a>!       <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/04/image_ff10cb.png" alt="" class="wp-image-770394" style="width:98px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   🚀 <a href="https://prepdig.com/my-account/subscriptions/">Upgrade to a PrepDig+ Subscription</a> — exclusive rankings, in-depth analysis, and access to the full <a href="https://prepdig.com/prospect-index/">prospect index</a>.     <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/10/image_e42f4e.png" alt="" class="wp-image-894323" style="width:126px;height:auto" /></figure>   <a href="https://prepdig.com/events/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The 2025 Prep Dig Exposure Tour is officially LIVE!</a>   We're hitting 20+ cities across the country this winter to give athletes a platform to compete, get seen, and level up.   I'll personally be directing at Vegas (11/15), SoCal (11/23), NorCal (11/29), Arizona (12/14), and can't wait to welcome some of the region's top talent to the gym. Use Code: BamfordPD25   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   On November 14th, the UCLA Women's Volleyball team takes on Nebraska in one of the most anticipated matchups of the season. Expect a packed gym, high intensity, and the same competitive fire athletes are chasing in their own seasons. Come watch, learn, and be inspired as two of the nation's top programs go head-to-head on one of college volleyball's biggest stages.   🔥 Players — Use this article to grow. Take notes, study what makes others stand out, and apply it to your own journey. Want to go further? Reach out to a featured athlete and introduce yourself. Build connections, not just stats.   📣 Club Coaches & Directors — Share this with your teams. If your athletes are highlighted, celebrate them loudly. 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For seniors across Southern California, tomorrow is a night they'll never forget. The roar of the student section, the packed gyms, the familiar faces in the crowd. It's more than just playoff volleyball. It's the culmination of years spent turning down plans, missing parties, and saying, “I can't, I have practice.”