Women's Volleyball SoCal Regional Bracket
The Cypress Chargers will travel to Oceanside and face the Mira Costa Spartans (17-4, 12-4) in the SoCal Regional Playoffs on Tuesday, November 24th at 6:00 PM. The Chargers finished the regular season 19-9 and 10-4 in conference play, to finish second place in the Orange Empire Conference. Their opponent took second place in the Pacific Coast conference and is riding a five-game winning streak, with their last loss coming exactly a month ago to Grossmont.
The playoff matchup will mark the first meeting between the two teams this season and could be one of the most intriguing games in the SoCal Regionals. Even though the Chargers amassed more total kills this season than the Spartans (1182 to 909), the Spartans defense has proven capable of containing their opponents' attack to an average 7.36 kills per set. Moreover, the Spartans have managed 12.63 kills per set this season while the Chargers knocked down 11.59 kills per set.
Cypress College boasts a roster with respectable athleticism and size but Mira Costa will look to frustrate the Chargers high-flying attack with their receiving game. The Spartans receiving has helped them contain the opposing offense. Statistically the Spartans hold an overwhelming advantage with 13.22 digs per set while the Chargers have managed to nab 8.41 D/S.
The Chargers will rely on their ace Madison May to carry the offensive burden for the team. The soon-to-be University of Niagara transfer won Orange Empire Conference Co-MVP for her 416 kills, 36 service aces, and 121 digs this season. Freshman Rockelle Gholson (205 Kills) will be relied upon to break down the opposing defense while freshman Sina Amasio and sophomore Jazmyn Covington will be counted on to protect the net (50 and 72 Total Blocks). First Team All-OEC libero Emily Witz has been consistent in leading the Chargers receiving game (196 Digs), and will be counted on to create perfect passes off her digs.
The Spartans do not have an offensive star like May, as their leading player Brianna Sizemore (255 kills) only has 50 more than the Chargers second leading player, Rockelle Gholson. In addition, Covington and Amasio have amassed more blocks together (122 Total Blocks) than the entire Spartans combined (87 Total Blocks). However, they trump the Chargers in total digs (952 to 858) thanks to their libero Cady Francis and Sizemore who made 225 and 172 digs, respectively.
In a battle between a hard-hitting offense and a resilient defense, the Chargers will look to upset their opening playoff opponent in their quest for the state championship.
