State Playoffs: So Cal’s Top Performers From Round 1

<p>The California state playoffs opened this week containing five divisions plus the Nor Cal regional tournament for Division 6. Below, we highlight some of the top performances from the So Cal teams in the opening round.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="160302" first="Anika" last="Huelskamp"], 5-11 Outside, Jr, Oxnard</strong> – The Yellowjackets clipped Palisades in an extra-score fifth set in the Division 3 playoffs behind 27 kills from Huelskamp, who hit .281 on 64 swings. The junior turned in a team-high 15 digs as well. She also tied for the team lead in aces with 3.</p> <p><strong>Shelby Scott, 6-3 Middle, Jr, Saugus</strong> – It was solid all-around effort from Scott, who helped Saugus take care of Fallbrook in straight sets to begin the Division 3 playoffs. Scott was efficient on offense, with 6 kills on 8 swings, hitting .625. She also made her presence known defensively, sending down a team-high 6 blocks.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="160960" first="Ximena" last="Cordero"], 5-10 Outside, Soph, Otay Ranch</strong> – Cordero registered a double-double at Otay Ranch swept South Hills to start off the Division 3 playoffs. Cordero sent down a team-leading 15 kills while hitting .462 on 26 swings. Her 15 kills also paced the Mustangs defensively.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="160884" first="Zoe" last="Rachow"], 5-11 Setter, Jr, Otay Ranch</strong> – Rachow did her part in the Mustangs’ victory. The junior setter tossed out 32 assists and also made 14 digs. She also threw in 2 kills, 1 block and 1 ace.</p> <p><strong>Ava Poinsett, 5-11 Outside, Fr, Francis Parker</strong> – The Lancers took care of El Rancho in four sets in the Division 3 playoffs. Poinsett paced the attack with 13 kills while hitting .385 on 26 swings. She also contributed 9 digs. It was the 11th time she’s finished with at least 13 kills this season.</p> <p><strong>Sami Kim, Libero/DS, Soph, Francis Parker</strong> – With Poinsett carrying the offense, the Lancers relied on Kim in the back row in their victory against El Rancho. The sophomore produced 20 digs in four sets. She also had 1 of the team’s 7 aces.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="159528" first="Jordyn" last="Schilling"], 6-0 Outside, Sr, Mater Dei</strong> – With 11 kills and 11 digs, Schilling had a double-double as the Monarchs swept La Costa Canyon to start the Open Division playoffs. Schilling’s outing included hitting .429 on 21 swings. She also chipped in with 2 blocks.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="162958" first="Ellie" last="Geoghegan"], 5-8 Libero/DS, Sr, Mira Costa</strong> – In the Mustangs’ four-set victory against Vista Murrieta in the Open Division playoffs, Geoghegan shined with a season-high 25 digs. She also led Mira Costa with 27 serve receptions.</p> <p><strong>Shannon Knight, 6-1 Right Side, Sr, Mira Costa</strong> – Geoghegan wasn’t the only Mustangs player with a season high. Knight did so on the offensive end, with a season-best 14 kills while hitting .458. She also added a block.</p> <p><strong>Erin Inskeep, 5-9 Outside, Jr, Mira Costa</strong> – Not to be outdone, Inskeep also had her best match of the season. The junior led the Mustangs in kills with 16. She hit .306 and also had 5 digs.</p>