On Tuesday, Oct. 21, the Foothill Technology High School girls volleyball team faced University Prep High School in the first round of California Interscholastic Federation playoffs. After a rough 0-8 record last season, the Dragons flipped it around this season and achieved 7-1 in the league, appearing for the first time in CIF since 2018. With an astonishing total of 61 team kills, the Dragons were able to defeat University Prep in four nail-biting sets. Securing a 3-1 victory, the Dragons moved on to the second round of CIF.
The Dragons quickly advanced as Emily Turner ’26 served, and University Prep sent it back over to the Dragons for an assist by Turner to Fiona Holt ‘28 for a kill. With two more pass set plays with help from Turner and freshman Grace Canavan, Sam Jacobson ‘26 and Addison Hickey ‘28 were able to each get a kill, bringing the score to 3-2. Although the Dragons pushed offensively, University Prep held a strong defensive line with blocks. University Prep was able to gain a 14-13 lead.
In an attempt to gain back momentum, Peyton Fox ‘27 set up Maya Adams ‘28 for a deep corner kill to tie the game at 14-14. With kills by both Fiona Aulenta ‘26 and Adams and an ace by Fox, the Dragons gained an 18-14 lead, which led University Prep to call for a timeout. At last, with multiple kills by Foothill Tech, they were able to win the first set 25-18.
University Prep started the second set with an ace. The Dragons collected eight kills within the first 15 points and were able to take an early 11-4 lead over University Prep. The Dragons carried momentum throughout the second set and kept a consistent nine-point lead. With the score at 20-9 and the Dragons fighting hard to take a second-set victory, University Prep called a timeout. With a kill by Jacobson and an ace by Canavan, Foothill Tech continued the rally. At game point for the Dragons, University Prep went up to the service line and aced, but failed to close the gap and served the final point of the game into the net. The Dragons were given the 25th point of the game for a 25-12 second-set victory.
After a dominant first two sets, Foothill Tech only needed one more victory to secure its spot in the second round of playoffs. However, University Prep didn’t go down without a fight. University Prep won the third set, 25-22. The Dragons had key plays at the beginning, with the score at 10-10, and Fox assisted Holt for a kill to put the Dragons in the lead. Despite this, the Dragons suffered multiple errors and faced strong blocks back-to-back put up by University Prep. Aulenta secured a kill and gained the 22nd point for the Dragons, and with the score at 22-24, the Dragons needed smart plays in order to come back against University Prep’s defensive line. In the end, Jacobson hit the ball out and the Dragons lost the third set, 22-25.
The beginning of the fourth set was very close as each team traded points back and forth.
However, with the help of Turner’s six kills throughout the set, the Dragons gained the lead. The score was at 21-12 when Adams had a kill followed by an ace, which led to a timeout by University Prep. The timeout didn’t stop the Dragons’ momentum, and Adams aced the ball once again, bringing the score to 23-12. Off the next serve, University Prep was able to get a kill on the Dragons, but after they went to serve, they foot faulted, giving the Dragons an easy point for game point. To end the game, Fox had a freeball kill and ended the set, 25-14, Dragons.
After the game, head coach Adell Oliveras spoke on the team’s energy and excitement about being able to play and host the first round of the playoffs.
“To be able to even make CIF, to win our first CIF playoff game, to host it at home, it’s all I could hope for right now,” said Adell Oliveras.
