CIF State volleyball: Maria Carrillo eliminated in first round by top seed Archbishop Mitty

Archbishop Mitty, going for its fourth straight CIF Division?2 state title, eliminated Maria Carrillo in straight sets Tuesday night in San Jose.

Scores for the opening-round match were 25-10, 25-11, 25-4.

Mitty was the Northern California top seed while Carrillo was No. 8.

“They were the best team we’ve played,” outside hitter and co-captain Sally Chesnut said. “They were strong in all parts of the game.”

Coach Ally Deal concurred.

“They blew us out,” she said. “They serve really, really well. That put us in a bad position from the start.

“They were more physical and experienced than we were and it showed.”

Chesunt, who averages above double-digit kills, was held to four. Gabbie Picano led the Pumas with seven.

Rachel Wright doled out nine assists and Payton Jones had eight digs.

“Their front line were excellent blockers,” Chesnut said. “They read us really well.

“We tried hard to stay in every point but they just played too fast and with intensity.”

The Pumas finished the season with a 27-10 record. They were the North Bay League regular-season champs and finished second in the North Coast Section Division 2 Tournament.

They accomplished that with a team that included only three seniors.

“We had a great season and went farther than anyone thought,” Deal said. “It’s bittersweet to end the season with a loss, but we had a lot of high points.”

Chesnut said the team improved as the season progressed.

“We definitely got better,” she said. “We’re proud of what we accomplished.”

STONE RIDGE CHRISTIAN 3, ANDERSON VALLEY 0

At Merced, the scores were?25-15 in all three sets.

Coach Kendra McEwen said the five-hour ride from Boonville to Merced took its toll on her players.

“They were pretty darned tired before the match began,” she said. “It was a tough situation coming off a long trip and then going in and playing a tough opponent.”

Anderson Valley was the No. 5 seed in the North Regional Division 6 bracket while Stone Ridge was No. 4.

“We played hard but just a little tired,” McEwen said. “It was a good match, however we were capable of playing better.”

The Panthers finish the season 23-6 and along the way they won NCL III and took second in the NCS Division 6 bracket.

“We accomplished a lot,” McEwen said. “A lot of these girls have played together since the fifth grade and will have a lot of good memories.”

Stone Ridge moves on with a 21-11 record.