The Lady Heralds came in focused to take their first victory in CIF playoffs.
They were on the road against Calvary Chapel, but started strong and swept all three games (25-19, 25-15, 25-21) to move past the Eagles.
“It’s huge. Even though we have a lot of girls that have been there in previous years, this is a brand new team,” said Whittier Christian Head Coach Todd Morrison.
The Lady Heralds’ faced their biggest challenge in the third game, where the Eagles came with their best effort.
“For us to come out and just focus, concentrate, even to get through kind of the bumps there, it means a lot going forward, knowing who we could expect to see,” Morrison said.
Despite charging out to a 4-0 lead, the Eagles battled back to win 6 points in a row.
“I always tell the girls, your best effort is required all the time, and those little things that happen, you got to persevere,” Morrison said.
It went back and forth with 6 ties in just the third game, but the Heralds made went on an 8-2 run to separate themselves from the Eagles and position themselves to move on in CIF.
“I told them, I’m not going to burn a timeout on you, because I want you guys to figure it out, and that’s what it takes,” Morrison said.
Before that, the Heralds steadily separated themselves in game one, and dominated game two. Before the six-point run, it looked like the Heralds would cruise to their round one victory.
The Heralds were led by outside hitters Mandy Sides and Jeanna Reinis who led the team in kills.
Christa Evans was a key contributor in blocks, early in game one from the middle.
Kiana Louie led the defensive effort and came up with big blocks and kills up the middle for the Heralds.
“I think for this team, sky is the limit for us, if we stick together and just, play volleyball,” Morrison said.
The Heralds will play Brea Olinda at home on Thursday night.